tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13245631422409942322024-03-20T09:36:09.518-04:00Lust In TimeA group blog by authors of hot historical romance, ranging from sensual to erotic. Current contributors include Kristina Cook, Amanda McIntyre, and Charlotte Featherstone.Kristi Cookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02369818655242695351noreply@blogger.comBlogger259125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1324563142240994232.post-41623204393175548222010-04-08T22:04:00.004-04:002010-04-08T22:25:17.087-04:00ANNOUNCEMENT: Closing Shop<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMV5XBvJFVtHCGQbgZTH140EOg8LXIPSWw-PcJBr5hFwk-adNyTfQEHRbLlU9hIa6Bey77vvSMaZ7YcQze52hDlMZIPfXCdg9S8LvUm2ny6QH5JlKfxXue-CRzZaBS-LirxrxUTuqQ5tJv/s1600/Castle-Doors-1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMV5XBvJFVtHCGQbgZTH140EOg8LXIPSWw-PcJBr5hFwk-adNyTfQEHRbLlU9hIa6Bey77vvSMaZ7YcQze52hDlMZIPfXCdg9S8LvUm2ny6QH5JlKfxXue-CRzZaBS-LirxrxUTuqQ5tJv/s400/Castle-Doors-1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457956184834815442" /></a><br />After much thought, the Lust in Time blog will be closing its doors. We've enjoyed having wonderful guests, lively conversations and informative discussions. To all our friends, we will see you out and about on the 'net and, as always, we welcome your comments and continued friendship--you can find our contact information on our individual web sites, which we hope you'll bookmark and visit often!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.kristiastor.com/news.html">Kristi</a><br /><a href="http://www.amandamcintyre.net">Amanda</a><br /><a href="http://www.charlottefeatherstone.net">Charlotte</a><br /> <br />Please watch for updates on our upcoming Celtic Spice anthologies at our <a href="http://www.celticspice.com">Celtic Spice</a> website. <br /><br />Also, please look for us on places like Goodreads.com and Twitter--all the LIT Ladies are tweeting now! Here are our Twitter IDs:<br /><br />Kristi: <a href="http://twitter.com/KristinaCook">KristinaCook</a><br />Amanda: <a href="http://twitter.com/AmandaMcIntyre1">AmandaMcIntyre1</a><br />Charlotte: <a href="http://twitter.com/ChFeatherstone">ChFeatherstone</a><br /><br />We'd love to see you over there!<br /><br />And lastly, don't forget that both Kristi and Amanda will be at this year's RT Booklover's Convention in Columbus, OH. Additionally, both Kristi and Charlotte will be at the RWA National Conference this July in Nashville, TN. We'd love to see you!<br /><br />Again, thank you all for the wonderful support and friendship you've shown us through the years. Lord Craven-Moore would say 'goodbye,' but I'm afraid he's too distraught at present...<br /><br />For now, from all of us--Kristi, Amanda, Charlotte, and his lordship...<span style="font-style:italic;">adieu!</span>Kristi Cookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02369818655242695351noreply@blogger.com25tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1324563142240994232.post-15233881937154636562010-03-26T14:58:00.008-04:002010-03-26T15:23:39.316-04:00Friday Eye-Candy...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKCf6lFI4-g3aCKR5x56IxUhhC7CMIEXJ7IQhyphenhyphenTLWNu8GtyEtheAJB2Dlo348sWgVwZNHmaEFrbX6eltS82q4NErb018h1ptgcF8kodxzDxx37ei13SIpyqt_FZ36wt5TmqqIBvNTLetf8/s1600/miami-vice.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 279px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKCf6lFI4-g3aCKR5x56IxUhhC7CMIEXJ7IQhyphenhyphenTLWNu8GtyEtheAJB2Dlo348sWgVwZNHmaEFrbX6eltS82q4NErb018h1ptgcF8kodxzDxx37ei13SIpyqt_FZ36wt5TmqqIBvNTLetf8/s400/miami-vice.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453019110817610130" /></a><br />Just adding some eye-candy to go along with my newest obsession (somehow I missed it in the 80s--I was busy on Friday nights!). <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu6OseqwGNw2SDZLoEnlCOvtEZRXNTo6BwhYie9uzCoLtMMlT6kLDgf8T54Mq7bYENTWqeVQwSlZPv9JyuWUvchE1OKWJdxakBAnC-BugJc3zkWpHxCkakTZcvZSnTh60k6_NyXKi4hlLm/s1600/Miami_Vice_Blues_Glass.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 323px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu6OseqwGNw2SDZLoEnlCOvtEZRXNTo6BwhYie9uzCoLtMMlT6kLDgf8T54Mq7bYENTWqeVQwSlZPv9JyuWUvchE1OKWJdxakBAnC-BugJc3zkWpHxCkakTZcvZSnTh60k6_NyXKi4hlLm/s400/Miami_Vice_Blues_Glass.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453024034589385602" /></a><br /><br />What is it with guys wielding guns and driving fast cars?! Is it the Alpha male thing?? I mean, Don Johnson is wearing a white suit and sporting a mullet, and yet I'm drooling all over myself. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHQf4pOGXC2XdgkVqkkdS8qAPEHbfvOI4AW0VRDEaKnyIITuVn6gGmvQ5RhXpou_iI64HdlxLRvlXIbDugQbH8OwSpUYEkGzRYjSWHLGOOSRDr8ZhQ6Hfpu84ItT-Ome7Tbj_xsb7aq1Xu/s1600/SonnyCrockett.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 169px; height: 340px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHQf4pOGXC2XdgkVqkkdS8qAPEHbfvOI4AW0VRDEaKnyIITuVn6gGmvQ5RhXpou_iI64HdlxLRvlXIbDugQbH8OwSpUYEkGzRYjSWHLGOOSRDr8ZhQ6Hfpu84ItT-Ome7Tbj_xsb7aq1Xu/s400/SonnyCrockett.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453024251824971298" /></a><br /><br />Especially when he's shirtless, LOL! If any of you, like me, missed Miami Vice the first time around, the Centric Channel on cable shows an episode every night at 11 p.m. eastern!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgCwD48SeFgCZppe_xiC41PzmmUeEVQe8Ucrn27n_38YCQoIkbGUkrgUQUz5_00I8OAe55PfeoqzFnDeiKnHiVXu0Vov1wfxuCPbtVQ2vaQg9EHgW4daVWGWQ_LZNaA142S_DAQeWdRz1F/s1600/key_art_miami_vice.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 156px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgCwD48SeFgCZppe_xiC41PzmmUeEVQe8Ucrn27n_38YCQoIkbGUkrgUQUz5_00I8OAe55PfeoqzFnDeiKnHiVXu0Vov1wfxuCPbtVQ2vaQg9EHgW4daVWGWQ_LZNaA142S_DAQeWdRz1F/s400/key_art_miami_vice.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453025274493376274" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><br />Anyone else nursing any new obsessions?? If so, share!</span>Kristi Cookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02369818655242695351noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1324563142240994232.post-45146398111196523542010-03-11T12:16:00.002-05:002010-03-11T12:20:11.013-05:00ECLIPSE trailer....Totally off-topic, as usual, but I have to have a mini Edward Cullen fangirl moment here and point out that the first official trailer for ECLIPSE is now online....<br /><br />And, as usual, it's too big to embed, so you'll have to go <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S2HIda5wSVU">HERE</a> to watch.Kristi Cookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02369818655242695351noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1324563142240994232.post-44568458252608118742010-03-08T11:58:00.004-05:002010-03-08T13:06:15.442-05:00Monday pick-me-up Vid....<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUsycvcRLLkgvYS06KImcjjLa1Oa9yswG4mOaehQTcR78kyij7HWlzKvfAHEjqkilqteLLFBBSGKsXUSLzgcuCeeVwGGN0AZMDaa_diUR3dqqN6zmh8ObnTGHPsvPD6Ya2zl0aan0KFnFq/s1600-h/Handsome.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUsycvcRLLkgvYS06KImcjjLa1Oa9yswG4mOaehQTcR78kyij7HWlzKvfAHEjqkilqteLLFBBSGKsXUSLzgcuCeeVwGGN0AZMDaa_diUR3dqqN6zmh8ObnTGHPsvPD6Ya2zl0aan0KFnFq/s400/Handsome.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446311459950504178" /></a><br />What better way to start your week than with a room full of *hot* guys?! <br /><br />Oh, and leave a comment telling me which part was your favorite, and I'll randomly pick someone to win some stuff. What stuff, you ask?! Well, I'll surprise you. <br /><br />Enjoy.... (unfortunately, you'll have to follow the link below to YouTube because the video is too big to embed).<br /><br /><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MyGJXLxtVEo">HANDSOME MEN'S CLUB</a>Kristi Cookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02369818655242695351noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1324563142240994232.post-6451107017041256062010-03-01T11:30:00.003-05:002010-03-01T11:32:32.955-05:00Winner.......And the winner of the signed copy of IMPROPER RELATIONS is......<span style="font-weight:bold;">J</span>! <a href="mailto:KristiAstor@aol.com">E-mail</a> me to claim your prize. Congrats, and thanks to everyone for participating!Kristi Cookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02369818655242695351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1324563142240994232.post-13855599109315270872010-02-25T15:40:00.006-05:002010-02-25T16:02:29.613-05:00Welcome author Janet Mullany to the Manor!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdl9OkmvdSJEVK9ZBBcw7CZuiwPKT2sN3UTEx6XVi8236zbOoaF97b4VBQeS9r0Da_pTdVhbKbxW6hGGzw_P7OZ8Jb-vgR67Q7xa3GGkN7NgNN06pfpXODJ2WcLNXBgZ5KJ1FgLf9wtHir/s1600-h/IR2_1661.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 165px; height: 262px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdl9OkmvdSJEVK9ZBBcw7CZuiwPKT2sN3UTEx6XVi8236zbOoaF97b4VBQeS9r0Da_pTdVhbKbxW6hGGzw_P7OZ8Jb-vgR67Q7xa3GGkN7NgNN06pfpXODJ2WcLNXBgZ5KJ1FgLf9wtHir/s400/IR2_1661.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5442285461604788210" /></a><br />Okay, everyone--let's give a warm LIT welcome to Janet Mullany, author of delightfully fun, super HOT historical romance. Janet's here to talk about her latest release, <span style="font-style:italic;">Improper Relations</span> (which I can't *wait* to read--but first I must wrest it from the hands of that naughty Lord Craven-Moore). Everyone who comments between now and Friday night will be entered in a drawing to win a signed copy of the book! Now, without further adieu...... <br /><span style="font-style:italic;"><br />Must a lady always put her husband first?</span><br /><br />After losing best friend and cousin Ann Welling in marriage to the Earl of Beresford, sharp-witted Charlotte Hayden is even ruder than usual to potential suitors. Introduced to Beresford’s wayward cousin, Shad, Charlotte may have met her match in witty repartee–but he’s hardly husband material. Caught in a compromising situation, Charlotte and Shad are forced to wed, resigning themselves to a marriage of convenience. And they aren’t the only ones with marital problems… Have both Ann and Charlotte married in haste to repent at leisure? And where do their loyalties really lie? With their husbands, with each other, or somewhere else entirely?<br /><br />Thanks, Lust in Time ladies and Lord FlexPecks—sorry, Lord Craven Moore, for inviting me here to talk about my latest release <span style="font-style:italic;">Improper Relations</span>.<br /> <br />But first I need to tell you I’m in a scary, scary place for a writer. It’s an exciting place, too. It’s the place where everything begins… or doesn’t. I have a first line. I have a title.<br />But where the heck is the rest of the book?<br /><br />Will it burst forth or will I have to sit down in a spot that isn’t my office and that doesn’t have internet and start doodling with pencil and paper? Or shall I give up the title and first line, as fabulous as they are, and look for something else?<br /><br />It’s funny how some books come together fast and others need to be coaxed out, with soft crooning sounds and nice little snacks. My 2009 release, <span style="font-style:italic;">A Most Lamentable Comedy</span>, came about very easily when I realized what a thoroughly disreputable person the heroine was and how the hero was equally wicked. And the title was a given, since it took place at a country house party where amateur theatricals took place.<br /><br />My most recent release, <span style="font-style:italic;">Improper Relations</span>, had the title right from the beginning. I’m very lucky in that my publisher, Little Black Dress (UK) likes my titles. It was my first marriage of convenience book, and I had a lot of fun with it.<br /><br />I’ve always thought marriages of convenience could be very sexy—it’s sex with a stranger, with all the clumsiness and awkwardness and eroticism that implies. So the hero and heroine simultaneously get to know each other, in and out of bed, and love and liking develop in tandem. <br /><br />I also had a lot of fun dealing with uptight Georgians and sex. For the hero (named Shad, it’s one of those shortened nicknames and it’s just unfortunate he sounds like a fish), things are perfectly clear. At first. Marriage is to beget heirs. Mistresses are for fun. But then…he falls in love. With his wife! And has hot sexy fun with her! Horrors. It’s not natural. <br /><br />Charlotte, my heroine, is pretty much oblivious to his agonizing dilemma, but she catches on. She’s not much of a shrinking violet and she tends to be very direct.<br /><span style="font-style:italic;"><br />“Shall I pour you some tea, sir? Oh, what a pretty teapot. Is it—”<br />The newspaper in his hand creases. “Charlotte, pray do not touch the spout that way. A footman might come in at any moment.” <br /><br />"Which way? Oh. Oh, you mean…”<br /> <br />“Precisely.” He grins at me. <br /><br />I help myself to some bread and butter, taking care not to fondle the handle of the knife overmuch, although I am strongly tempted to do so. It is quite refreshing to know that I can disturb him with the simplest of gestures.</span><br /><br />I explore some other beloved tropes of the genre in this book, too, as I’ve done with all of my Regency chicklits: there’s a duel, a sports-mad brother, a makeover for the heroine that doesn’t quite take, masked encounters and mistaken identities.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">What are your favorite Regency or historical tropes (or clichés)? And in which books do you think they are particularly successful? Inspire me for my next Regency chicklit!</span><br /><br />Find out more about Janet at her site, <a href="http://www.janetmullany.com">www.janetmullany.com</a>, where you can read excerpts, hear her reading from her books, and enter her contest.<br /><br />Note from the LIT Ladies: You can buy <span style="font-style:italic;">Improper Relations</span> <a href="http://www.bookdepository.com/book/9780755347803/Improper-Relations">here</a>, with free shipping worldwide! (who can resist that?!)Kristi Cookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02369818655242695351noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1324563142240994232.post-56808714023628356152010-02-18T15:09:00.008-05:002010-02-18T15:40:51.527-05:00Olympics Edition.....<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL45rWcM_QEZfqA6mAWLDlVDwWirpp0lBe8jvEIgTTkKs_qRREmBVjGA7DdDQ6rP4GOaZ9X8aBI3FlQxpahHpoN4Viqym5hUA_oU9uxyfFhHp9bwPt6zyIRsZ02N2s65oe_N14dQDjR_FZ/s1600-h/Olympics.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 120px; height: 148px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL45rWcM_QEZfqA6mAWLDlVDwWirpp0lBe8jvEIgTTkKs_qRREmBVjGA7DdDQ6rP4GOaZ9X8aBI3FlQxpahHpoN4Viqym5hUA_oU9uxyfFhHp9bwPt6zyIRsZ02N2s65oe_N14dQDjR_FZ/s400/Olympics.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439684843292047586" /></a><br />Okay, am I the only one glued to the Winter Olympics these days?! I'm watching way more of the winter games than I usually do--usually, it's pretty much just figure skating for me, but this year I've been watching some speed skating, some skiing, some snowboarding...just about anything, really (I draw the line at curling....sorry, curlers of the world; I just can't get into it). <br /><br />Anyway, I'm *so* excited about the men's long program tonight in figure skating. If you missed the short program, ladies, there's some serious hotness on the ice. First off, there's Russia's Plushenko, the defending Olympic gold medalist. He's unbelievably cocky and arrogant--and I just *love* that about him! His jumps are incredible--he's one of the few competitors who does quads. Anyway, I find him very sexy...maybe it's his attitude?! <br /> <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcHzUVFwpkdlXe2BWcfoPzA_dHiIvQHT0vbnO2_2kcDKefCk77HVLs0_3zb6UjGvCzV7IDD4VECEP_SayfsyexpL5ZKz0yBcVs8d3k0IysA2zjVEe4EiuHrDFe0rOYMmf1tx2C6j-BQxCW/s1600-h/Plushenko.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 231px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcHzUVFwpkdlXe2BWcfoPzA_dHiIvQHT0vbnO2_2kcDKefCk77HVLs0_3zb6UjGvCzV7IDD4VECEP_SayfsyexpL5ZKz0yBcVs8d3k0IysA2zjVEe4EiuHrDFe0rOYMmf1tx2C6j-BQxCW/s320/Plushenko.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439683099591255490" /></a><br /><br />Then there's American favorite Evan Lysacek--a tall, dark and athletic guy with classic movie-star good looks. Vera Wang designs his costumes, and WOW! Amazing. I love to watch him on the ice. Looks like Grace Kelly should be at his side...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6VVdDHteelpXnUIeNd5dEYbF-LvRkQfQSDcJ9-TllfNGt8oeP-DigGXjz3eFE_p2eiln9OSaMDwDdW2q-V1A91E2exBFCp2tMqF1r6rfMPE2GnH7aXt3bWzQkLBsT4PIwgvZJGWpdDGUd/s1600-h/Evan_lysacek_bgnes1_malka.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 233px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6VVdDHteelpXnUIeNd5dEYbF-LvRkQfQSDcJ9-TllfNGt8oeP-DigGXjz3eFE_p2eiln9OSaMDwDdW2q-V1A91E2exBFCp2tMqF1r6rfMPE2GnH7aXt3bWzQkLBsT4PIwgvZJGWpdDGUd/s320/Evan_lysacek_bgnes1_malka.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439684021883732130" /></a><br /><br />But my favorite?! Oh, how I love American Johnny Weir. Flamboyant, exciting, controversial both on the ice and off....but man, oh, man can that boy skate! His artistry is amazing--he's a beautiful skater, with the skills to match. And when he's not wearing the make-up and bizarre costumes, he is seriously smokin' hot (yes, yes, I know he's gay...whatever!). Anyway, I'd love to see Johnny on top of that podium tonight, even though it's a long-shot (Plushenko and Lysacek would have to seriously screw up their routines). <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj16PpK7rYliPCswuYrp4iOZ6Dugkt2C0oVuNX-80dX0ufDABDQVc2oqs9P6XdVv4gnFeVQ02vOBaZ8JFrkQj7wQsiSfKH9t0hO1hUTHrZDwnvAxwJ6TOquxhSXWxErd6Gp6pUdPlflTdvw/s1600-h/johnny_weir.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 231px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj16PpK7rYliPCswuYrp4iOZ6Dugkt2C0oVuNX-80dX0ufDABDQVc2oqs9P6XdVv4gnFeVQ02vOBaZ8JFrkQj7wQsiSfKH9t0hO1hUTHrZDwnvAxwJ6TOquxhSXWxErd6Gp6pUdPlflTdvw/s400/johnny_weir.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439684212620144914" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Anyone else watching the figure skating? If so, who are you rooting for?</span><br /><br />Just for fun, here's a vid of Weir's 'exhibition routine' to Lady Gaga's Poker Face--it's *classic* Weir (bizarre make-up and all). Enjoy!<br /><br /><object width="320" height="265"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/-iT9mkv4bwA&hl=en_US&fs=1&color1=0x2b405b&color2=0x6b8ab6"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/-iT9mkv4bwA&hl=en_US&fs=1&color1=0x2b405b&color2=0x6b8ab6" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="320" height="265"></embed></object>Kristi Cookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02369818655242695351noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1324563142240994232.post-11196825763809535612010-02-10T11:16:00.005-05:002010-02-10T11:58:42.763-05:00Everything Old is New Again<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0nmxpCToEz0RrIN6nKn_BJTvWnbTYtrvetz50TNAgRsnX8TT0PISCdCynu0rhTHM2QhuD4sPdFebLSpMlQrCwlpCem6K84eYYIVS06HegDV85KnouFMLFynnHUV6tthINPt90f_edVr_j/s1600-h/untitled.bmp"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0nmxpCToEz0RrIN6nKn_BJTvWnbTYtrvetz50TNAgRsnX8TT0PISCdCynu0rhTHM2QhuD4sPdFebLSpMlQrCwlpCem6K84eYYIVS06HegDV85KnouFMLFynnHUV6tthINPt90f_edVr_j/s320/untitled.bmp" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436654082186437394" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6tQubiPhhV0">So, Pink does a cover (a kick ass one, btw) of Led Zeppelin's Woman I'm Gonna Leave You,</a> and all the tweens are suddenly ravenous for all that 70 and 80's rock! My kidlet happened to score brownie points on the school yard because she knew the name of the song, as well as the original artist, because quote 'my parents listen to that old fashioned music'....lol!!! She's right, though. And now my hubby and I making lists of songs that those savvy 'tweens' might like. <br /><br />Music is big in our house. All three of us adore it, and usually, iPods are plugged into our ears and the TV is off. We all have our own tastes, however. I'm the most ecletic of the threesome. Hubby is a bit of a well...metal head, but I have to give him some credit, because there's been a few songs that he's pointed out that have been awesome for writing some really agnst ridden scenes. The kidlet, well, she's past the High School Musical stuff (thank the Lord) and is developing other tastes--Pink being one of them. Of course, that leaves me listening to Pink so I can screen for appropriateness. When she wanted me to download Pink's version of I'm Gonna Leave You, I nearly fell off my chair because, the night before, she was making fun of my musical choices--and this song was one of them. Of course, perhaps it was Robert Plant's I Can't Breathe In My Too Tight, Give Everything Away Jeans....man, wow... I'm surprised he could move in them, and really was he aware of just how...<em>exposed</em> his package was from behind that tight denim? Eeek. <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik3ZOENJDHhKB8JeiyatPoIL3mOQzMsNQJ-qmRuqtdS0rW66242GmsmJDEVRQX8-9GbiAz11Il23ILvlDjR5zsXHFcySGvLRwrS__UJ4JLBC70ZRn2IIq3fTGiQk_2OWKbvLGz8iBWtZNy/s1600-h/Robert_Plant02.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 225px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik3ZOENJDHhKB8JeiyatPoIL3mOQzMsNQJ-qmRuqtdS0rW66242GmsmJDEVRQX8-9GbiAz11Il23ILvlDjR5zsXHFcySGvLRwrS__UJ4JLBC70ZRn2IIq3fTGiQk_2OWKbvLGz8iBWtZNy/s320/Robert_Plant02.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436654314629918306" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUPEsLSRgewhLiNx2l1-h6ff1odI7GG_Jz_UZXwCRTfb9ULi4UWiSG0UdF-7gfn56lwazC6vKuq3GzqZds8fAddEp3hTDvZhLyZpcZ-OYIziYfTWCx3IYKZMQT9Ljtnmqq-ZqD7K4M4SXS/s1600-h/led-zeppelin-stairway-to-heaven.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 279px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUPEsLSRgewhLiNx2l1-h6ff1odI7GG_Jz_UZXwCRTfb9ULi4UWiSG0UdF-7gfn56lwazC6vKuq3GzqZds8fAddEp3hTDvZhLyZpcZ-OYIziYfTWCx3IYKZMQT9Ljtnmqq-ZqD7K4M4SXS/s320/led-zeppelin-stairway-to-heaven.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436653592226041874" /></a><br /><br /><br />Anyhoo, yes. Led Zeppelin is in heavy rotation for my writing. Strangely enough, I'm writing Lust (first of the Sins and Virtues series) to a couple of their songs. Once you get past the hair, the tight jeans etc...you really appreciate their lyrics, which sometimes are very mystical, and poetic which does fit into my sexy and opulent Fey court.<br /><br />Mostly I'm listening to Stairway To Heaven, Woman I'm Gonna Leave You, Kashmir and Whole Lotta Love. I mean, how can one resist lines like this...'shake for me, girl, I wanna be your backdoor man. I'm gonna give you my love....' See, I can totally see Lust saying this to Chastity!<br /><br />Anyway, it amazes me that these 'youngsters' are enjoying the music that was once the domain of my parents era! But they are. I'm still trying to get the kidlet turned onto New Order, The Cure, The Cult, Depeche Mode (my high school days) but in her words 'yeah, I'm not feeling it'.....but then again, that's what I used to say when mum and dad put on the vinyl LP's of Led Zeppelin!!!<br /><br /><strong>So, what music or bands would like to dig up for a stroll down memory lane?</strong>Charlotte Featherstonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13785725026005235430noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1324563142240994232.post-70466214535110049112010-02-09T11:37:00.002-05:002010-02-09T11:47:56.501-05:00Gone With the Wind....with Vampires?!Amanda just sent me this link and I *had* to share--this is brilliant! A mash-up of my all time-favorite movie--Gone With the Wind--with Vampires, oh, my!<br /><br />And oooh, it's got one of my favorite, alpha-Rhett lines, "This is what you were meant for...." but with a whole other meaning, LOL!<br /><br />Watch....<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/xJbk0EDVGSo&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en_US&feature=player_embedded&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/xJbk0EDVGSo&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en_US&feature=player_embedded&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Kristi Cookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02369818655242695351noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1324563142240994232.post-30845034474292980472010-02-03T14:02:00.012-05:002010-02-03T14:53:46.022-05:00Wicked Wednesday....Some wickedly hot LOST eye-candy for you to enjoy....<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtNybc46Ofa5QyZZLX_P_rT2luBsATL0Fy529A5RfTLDQ3MkgHvMVHLsqfMHsCocZCv9pIAHUD-bvnwxEyIiqSIhCs3xfx6devT8-Gf8TzS762v7svnE3Y63Vq0CWLcYbeK1fstipTK0AI/s1600-h/josh_holloway.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 225px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtNybc46Ofa5QyZZLX_P_rT2luBsATL0Fy529A5RfTLDQ3MkgHvMVHLsqfMHsCocZCv9pIAHUD-bvnwxEyIiqSIhCs3xfx6devT8-Gf8TzS762v7svnE3Y63Vq0CWLcYbeK1fstipTK0AI/s400/josh_holloway.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434095118652364706" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbHNqozXtmgtYSGXULqTRA47tCBgoS98uD_rqCgX9MKIe0w9U7NmhnexMIT-c-_q-RqYsqF2QOB0K8ii_6budw256UGMa2WBOcKqZ3VH1VgAMN-y7Jpee4xX4wjGPf-x2Ee_VPudxeUlCR/s1600-h/Josh2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbHNqozXtmgtYSGXULqTRA47tCBgoS98uD_rqCgX9MKIe0w9U7NmhnexMIT-c-_q-RqYsqF2QOB0K8ii_6budw256UGMa2WBOcKqZ3VH1VgAMN-y7Jpee4xX4wjGPf-x2Ee_VPudxeUlCR/s400/Josh2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434096337378369794" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Any other LOST devotees besides me?! If so, what did you think about last night's episode, LAX parts 1 and 2?</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPadVJaILezEf2eLETIHPWcwFSQvdjDhEZTvKNBjw5oeibXjBxMf1dPVsh6DDXIWJl7zUTteADk_ej3w_q90tJz1kRq3MJZOMp-_zcNlWKLwk_KSecn0mT4YdcNb5aR8QN6Vo4b6tkWj8t/s1600-h/LostScreencap.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 248px; height: 134px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPadVJaILezEf2eLETIHPWcwFSQvdjDhEZTvKNBjw5oeibXjBxMf1dPVsh6DDXIWJl7zUTteADk_ej3w_q90tJz1kRq3MJZOMp-_zcNlWKLwk_KSecn0mT4YdcNb5aR8QN6Vo4b6tkWj8t/s400/LostScreencap.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434102141324047730" /></a><br /><br />The scene that makes me cry every time I watch it: <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7KKkpexCvUU">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7KKkpexCvUU</a>Kristi Cookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02369818655242695351noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1324563142240994232.post-27270451862211230082010-02-01T12:55:00.003-05:002010-02-01T13:20:12.762-05:00Whaddya think??Confession time: right now I'm knee deep in revisions for my debut YA release (HAVEN, Jan. 2011, Simon Pulse). Which means I'm not working on anything historical at the moment. As soon as the revised manuscript is turned in, I have to get back to working on my next hot historical for Kensington, but for now, my brain is firmly in "teens and paranormal" mode, so bear with me as I temporarily hijack the proceedings here....<br /><br />Some background--HAVEN is set in a fictional boarding school in New York's Hudson Valley, right in Washington Irving "territory" (in fact, Irving is supposedly the school's founder). <br /><br />Everyone at Winterhaven--every kid, every teacher, even the headmaster--has psychic abilities, or "gifts and talents," as they call them: precognition, clairsentience, telekenesis, telepathy, astral projection. The school provides a haven for them, a place to explore their abilities and learn how to best use them in the "real" world. When the heroine, 16 yr. old Violet McKenna, first comes to Winterhaven, she has no idea that the school holds such secrets--or that some of the kids are hiding even *deeper* secrets than she ever thought possible. <br /><br />I wanted to create a school crest for Winterhaven, an image to represent the school that I could use on my website and in promotional materials (like t-shirts), so I gave a graphic designer all the pertinent details--year of founding, school motto, emblem, colors, etc. <br /><br />And this is what he came up with:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTzQK2y77bOCSAA7YPNncmLUs379IRjn7R9Hvk27M3H_nCjPDuoJkORH_G6EEYkn-NArayTFSuEEkvjkG2JuOkkRD7waGk2GtRO3tX9uxobc4seYermCpw0sA-tJXB80_OQ1p66zNusExD/s1600-h/WinterCrest1bg(correction).jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 391px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTzQK2y77bOCSAA7YPNncmLUs379IRjn7R9Hvk27M3H_nCjPDuoJkORH_G6EEYkn-NArayTFSuEEkvjkG2JuOkkRD7waGk2GtRO3tX9uxobc4seYermCpw0sA-tJXB80_OQ1p66zNusExD/s400/WinterCrest1bg(correction).jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433340553379150162" /></a><br /><br />I must say, I LOVE it!! There are other, less "flourish-y" versions, but I can totally see this one on a solid black web page. <br /><br />So...what do you think??Kristi Cookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02369818655242695351noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1324563142240994232.post-18467809577427097852010-01-26T11:28:00.005-05:002010-01-26T12:05:42.551-05:00The Facebook Phenomena...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiER60bIRRbbTBXbjIkr0O1bHxzOIkdBSQ0ZBtQTsP8PictNqYxHiQSe4bG6fWEPx5d8wGInoIDN6jUTmbgDXubMH9Umh_3oLymgj4UigwAtBXPyxXW1xgaEp0K4WfPMIYQXdwvFRq5OFMY/s1600-h/FacebookScreencap.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 156px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiER60bIRRbbTBXbjIkr0O1bHxzOIkdBSQ0ZBtQTsP8PictNqYxHiQSe4bG6fWEPx5d8wGInoIDN6jUTmbgDXubMH9Umh_3oLymgj4UigwAtBXPyxXW1xgaEp0K4WfPMIYQXdwvFRq5OFMY/s400/FacebookScreencap.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431094815682657682" /></a><br />Change of topic today...let's talk social networking sites. They're huge in the romance community, especially Facebook and Twitter (but also MySpace, Goodreads, etc.). You can generally find most authors on at least one. These days I try and keep a presence on both Facebook and Twitter, and I also follow many of my own favorite authors, even non-romance ones like Neil Gaiman, and I'm amazed at the way I feel "connected" to both readers and writers alike. <br /><br />But beyond the whole reader/writer sphere, the whole phenomena of places like Facebook has amazed me. This weekend, I went to a friend's "all girls" dinner party, and the power of Facebook became evident very quickly. Once the wine started flowing, we started gabbing about Facebook, and one person's story led to the next. <br /><br />For starters, the hostess is now seeing a guy that she went to high school with (20 yrs. ago!). Both single, they reconnected on Facebook last fall. Turns out that he lives in the same town as her parents do, many states away from where they attended high school. They were able to get together over the holidays, and voila! A Facebook love story!<br /><br />Another party attendee made a Facebook love match, too--through her ex-boyfriend! The guy was her ex's best friend from high school, and he saw something she had posted (a picture, not of herself) and was intrigued, so he commented on it. Next thing you know, they were talking back and forth, getting to know one another, and totally falling for each other. They've since met in person, and things are looking good! The copious amount of wine consumed was getting us all really thoughtful and introspective, and we decided that maybe the entire relationship with the ex--apparently not a good one--was simply fate's way of bringing her together with this new guy, a man she wouldn't have ever met if not for the ex and his Facebook page. <br /><br />My own experience was less exciting, but meaningful, nonetheless. My high school ex found me on Facebook recently. This was the <span style="font-style:italic;">one</span> past relationship in my life that left scars, that left unresolved issues that have actually weighed on my psyche all these years (and it's been more than 20). Fast forward to now, both of us happily married with kids--and with perspective on everything that happened all those years ago. We've since had several healthy, no-holds-barred conversations where we got it all out there. Heck, I yelled at him. I yelled, he apologized, we talked and talked....and you know what?! I feel like this little black cloud that hovered hidden in my brain all these years is gone now. Poof, just like that. He feels better, too. I didn't realize that I needed to forgive him, but obviously I did. And he didn't realize how much he needed to apologize and BE forgiven. <span style="font-style:italic;">Feat accompli</span>. (Yes, it was ALL his fault, LOL!) And now we move on. <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">How about you? Any Facebook Phenomena stories (Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, Goodreads, etc.)? (I know...sigh....the absence of wine makes it a bit harder to share) A person from your past you reconnected with? Someone you met through a mutual Facebook friend? Or even a fun exchange with a favorite author/singer/artist?</span>Kristi Cookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02369818655242695351noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1324563142240994232.post-17096475527104526672010-01-20T10:06:00.004-05:002010-01-20T10:22:24.148-05:00Merry Old England<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8z99Ejlc0iz9occIopmYwnYTv6ZMO8jGjgod5yfup_M7c8X_sIZbDATqSrRJHHebIxea5OR0wvDOWg2Uq0wlLdPAi0Y6-keMC768Z4yrqkDNQovaGnYDej2rhcQTAulJwCHs9lflDQz1q/s1600-h/73457135_4f29068ea2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 212px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8z99Ejlc0iz9occIopmYwnYTv6ZMO8jGjgod5yfup_M7c8X_sIZbDATqSrRJHHebIxea5OR0wvDOWg2Uq0wlLdPAi0Y6-keMC768Z4yrqkDNQovaGnYDej2rhcQTAulJwCHs9lflDQz1q/s320/73457135_4f29068ea2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428842239615833490" /></a><br /><br />I'm in England today, Somerset to be exact! I'm having a steaming cuppa and admiring the view of Glastonbury Tor. <br /><br />Yeah, I know. I'm dreaming. However, I am in Somerset, and I am admiring the view, from my just received glossy colored travel brochure of Somerset. Now, I've been to England numerous times, but have not yet had the pleasure of visiting the county of Somerset. The furthest west I've been is Bath and Salisbury. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCAaAkcHaGUyJxeWy-V9VS0ToVnhHnHSaf6B6uKmWyP9ljtEjlOO485ZHOeGoOelbyw3myAhbb7lKjdyQeT9hCo6zm4eWWPNmfgZDqiBam6K59MzJJ_0f1EXX30glil3vLCJkmhlEQ3noD/s1600-h/glastonbury_tor_lynne_newto_240x350.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 219px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCAaAkcHaGUyJxeWy-V9VS0ToVnhHnHSaf6B6uKmWyP9ljtEjlOO485ZHOeGoOelbyw3myAhbb7lKjdyQeT9hCo6zm4eWWPNmfgZDqiBam6K59MzJJ_0f1EXX30glil3vLCJkmhlEQ3noD/s320/glastonbury_tor_lynne_newto_240x350.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428842319305051954" /></a><br /><br /><br />So, what's the allure of Somerset? Ah...that most mysterious place of Glastonbury Tor. It's been there for millenia. No one knows it's exact purpose. It's been told that the Holy Grail is hidden there, deep in the Tor's labyrinth. It's fabled that Arthur and his knights stayed there, and that Arthur is buried there. It's told by the locals that it's really a fairy mound, and every Beltane and Samhain the faeries come out and walk amongst the mortals. For certain it's a mystical place, brimming with imagination and possibilities, and a certain amount of tranquility.<br /><br />In my world however, Glastonbury Tor is the site of my Unseelie Court. As soon as I saw pictures of it, I knew that this is where my dark Fey princes would live and carry out their shenanigans! Deep in the labyrinth is the path to Faery. One path leads to the Seelie Court, or the court of light and the other leads to the Unseelie Court--the far more exciting court, if you ask me! lol!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbPFD_DwpFZmRaam1B36HbIE-1bOxCEZp7gQsDg7nUAkIgLLQOZM_v0UQ6hRqJXEAkXOuDKOV0Wow1eZqaXgSIulNsCydUcIWDhsg-bCTlND6XuQgA5UHGujEeOL8h_QJTdh9Jcgs4xWdQ/s1600-h/glastonbury.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 237px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbPFD_DwpFZmRaam1B36HbIE-1bOxCEZp7gQsDg7nUAkIgLLQOZM_v0UQ6hRqJXEAkXOuDKOV0Wow1eZqaXgSIulNsCydUcIWDhsg-bCTlND6XuQgA5UHGujEeOL8h_QJTdh9Jcgs4xWdQ/s320/glastonbury.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428842496157630450" /></a><br /><br /><br />It's a perfect spot for mortals and Fey to blend in, and with the surrounding villages and villagers, it's easy to make the mortals believe in the Fey folk.<br /><br />So, Lust begins on the Eve Beltane, and the villagers of Glastonbury are all out making merry. The Tor rises like a mythic beast in the back, while in the valley, a Georgian May Day fair is in full swing.<br /><br />So, now I'm sitting in my chair, with a warm cup of tea, pouring over the colored visuals. It's arm chair travel and it doesn't cost a cent!!! If you're interested in learning more about Glastonbury, click here: <strong>Glastonbury Tor</strong><br /><br /><strong>So, if you could travel anywhere, where would it be? What would inspire you in that place?</strong><br />Happy Hump DayCharlotte Featherstonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13785725026005235430noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1324563142240994232.post-27094797877946833412010-01-14T11:38:00.009-05:002010-01-14T12:33:56.318-05:00Fetishes<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJu4t12iTmrsAunL9xdlYR6PzhGB06jRdcWIVdl9JqCLLynraAonWqGbclnui1vA5g7WvdfjMc9R7FS3oneMIWr8NwqW1NDdZAN-HZ3JjJWM1WNy8tEoSb8ytNtG_XiVSRwyfnScaXE2uu/s1600-h/minaharker.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 294px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJu4t12iTmrsAunL9xdlYR6PzhGB06jRdcWIVdl9JqCLLynraAonWqGbclnui1vA5g7WvdfjMc9R7FS3oneMIWr8NwqW1NDdZAN-HZ3JjJWM1WNy8tEoSb8ytNtG_XiVSRwyfnScaXE2uu/s320/minaharker.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426642933756412674" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjosi43BEYbO5SmB37CnRexgNOwLguGMU6x2eANCya_YBlYrk1CjR-2_JmGmDoruh_frM61eoqL1PFjf5eNpZeNVUqk0m1hgRDED5JM-3quYZHHSGhxiQlkvlrFEwWeIVC79FiXvRAY08db/s1600-h/Bram_Stokers_Dracula_Pic_01.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 210px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjosi43BEYbO5SmB37CnRexgNOwLguGMU6x2eANCya_YBlYrk1CjR-2_JmGmDoruh_frM61eoqL1PFjf5eNpZeNVUqk0m1hgRDED5JM-3quYZHHSGhxiQlkvlrFEwWeIVC79FiXvRAY08db/s320/Bram_Stokers_Dracula_Pic_01.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426642284405594002" /></a><br />Ha! Gotcha! You thought this was going to be one of two things, a treatise on flesh fetishes, or something naughty penned by Lord Craven-Moore! Sorry to disappoint you. But it is about two, possibly three of my fetishes!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyUux8dABdn12ZPoS5eqNkeDOs0nTlWWIWmBevUgqvna9qwmBy9TtkdUxDK_dRver3ta2K_VRbhJMUuAEsm5gHQEv1yponXbyc3b2c2YJNJpCcdlTkzx_jIpoRhsChKJyjT6wFY5fq_Mx0/s1600-h/Dracula-Mina-bram-stokers-dracula-8365690-649-824.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 252px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyUux8dABdn12ZPoS5eqNkeDOs0nTlWWIWmBevUgqvna9qwmBy9TtkdUxDK_dRver3ta2K_VRbhJMUuAEsm5gHQEv1yponXbyc3b2c2YJNJpCcdlTkzx_jIpoRhsChKJyjT6wFY5fq_Mx0/s320/Dracula-Mina-bram-stokers-dracula-8365690-649-824.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426642790838227714" /></a><br /><br /><br />The last few months I've been researching; mostly late Victorian era society and fashion, along with the fantasy realm and folklore of the fae. It's been fun and enlightening. As with all research, one tiny kernal of fact can landslide into a free fall into weird and wanton places. During my research, I've continually come back to three of my secret fetishes...leather pants, old fashioned sunglasses and Bram Stoker's Dracula! I know...I'm weird.<br /><br />But truly, I cannot tell you how visually inspiring Dracula has been to me over the years. Yeah, Reeves' performance as Jonathon Harker was wooden and all that, but the visuals...wow, and the barely tethered eroticsm....phew! I was drawn in from the very moment I watched it. And now I'm watching it again, mostly to get the feel for the vibe and tone I want for the Unseelie Court, as well as the dark, Gothic setting for the mass market historical I'm writing for HQN.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL-ekX8lLYKnOzAyDW_xkASM1m5sexWU2y9gh8raiLx8Hm0QriSJxBtMCWajsbkI_i21VYYg0GRxDGnhas3OONRtOQG5B-iXHWOJXrDnOLh3hJqqxNJTddlEMouBi1Qm3KelhVX8cXpu_A/s1600-h/monica-dracula.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 260px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL-ekX8lLYKnOzAyDW_xkASM1m5sexWU2y9gh8raiLx8Hm0QriSJxBtMCWajsbkI_i21VYYg0GRxDGnhas3OONRtOQG5B-iXHWOJXrDnOLh3hJqqxNJTddlEMouBi1Qm3KelhVX8cXpu_A/s320/monica-dracula.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426642554781490226" /></a><br /><br /><br />So, let's take Dracula. Sexy, sexy, sexy. Those three sexy vampires chicks? I love the costumes (what there is) and the jewellry, and their seductive ways. That really inspired the Unseelie Court in my Sins and Virtues series. It's decadent and sensual, exotic. <br /><br />I also LOVE, love Gary Oldman as the count. Kristi will attest to my fetish with him and those damn sunglasses of his! <em>Mmmm! </em>The clothes, the gowns, the flimsy nightwear, the homes, the carriages...just everything is so inspiring for me.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzW-uFWm6T0EPYaIxzIJ9O-lyghy5sPYm4KzcLDQ9ZgidMDPEwPteK_b2DpwvPVXHoJ1JmcHmxnnnko1jD-I9jbGxE-do-Cmtj8ymSPV2W6sWrfCtU2AnSHOBW33sibx1-JC65ixYsuYoo/s1600-h/dracula_gary_oldman.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 215px; height: 218px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzW-uFWm6T0EPYaIxzIJ9O-lyghy5sPYm4KzcLDQ9ZgidMDPEwPteK_b2DpwvPVXHoJ1JmcHmxnnnko1jD-I9jbGxE-do-Cmtj8ymSPV2W6sWrfCtU2AnSHOBW33sibx1-JC65ixYsuYoo/s320/dracula_gary_oldman.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426642368842036882" /></a><br /><br />Sunglasses....I have vowed for years that I am going to have a hero wear blue or purple lensed glasses and stare wantonly at the heroine behind those lenses. I have sworn over and over to do it. And now I've done it! Lord Black, the reclusive and mysterious hero in my historical (tentative title Dark Waltz HQN, Oct 2011) wearing them, and let me tell you, the heroine is smitten by him and those sexy glasses of his. But then, as I was writing Lust, I envisioned this Fey Prince standing in a perfumery, dressed in an embroidered frock coat, with little lace sleeves peeking out from beneath the cuff. He has longish dark hair, and when he turned his face to glance at his virtue, Chastity, he was wearing...sunglasses. <br /><br />No, no, I thought! Too early for sunglasses. It couldn't be. So, off I went to Google, and consulted enclyopedias etc...and guess what? The Chinese have been wearing sunglasses since the 1200's...and since I'm writing in the 1790's well...sunglasses were an expensive, exclusive accessory for the rich. Naturally Lust must have them. <br />And now he can...<br /><br />Leather pants. yeah, well, I saw one of the princes on horseback wearing black leather. I think it's continued reaction to that hottie on the cover of Velvet Haven. Man, he looks fine in his black leather trousers and ever since I've had absurd fantasies about leather pants! But in 1790? Hmmm, doesn't seem plausible even for a Fey.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkTTUN2cyx79T8_ymFuwxxbN73__p9g3KcE5Li975nx-tFHRE8wkk8KQ9pbiPxIil8w7JuFic8yCuKPP3gTIB3AvGBHD3BtsePa0UKP9RiPzAMPXGBROFJxlhXYs1h-Z4QZs6PnnjooyWw/s1600-h/Velvet_Haven.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkTTUN2cyx79T8_ymFuwxxbN73__p9g3KcE5Li975nx-tFHRE8wkk8KQ9pbiPxIil8w7JuFic8yCuKPP3gTIB3AvGBHD3BtsePa0UKP9RiPzAMPXGBROFJxlhXYs1h-Z4QZs6PnnjooyWw/s320/Velvet_Haven.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426642028775257138" /></a><br /><br /><br />Well....turns out leather pants, trousers, britches etc...have been worn by men for hunting and country fashion since the 1500's. Most were tanned color, but hell, I think my princes can come up with some black dye, don't you?<br /><br />Oh, research! Sometimes it can so thrilling!!!! Now, I'm doing more research today. I've made myself some lunch, and I'm just about ready to pop my DVD in--Bram Stoker's Dracula, of course! I gotta have me some Gary Oldman in those sunglasses!!!<br /><br /><strong>So, what movie has done it for you? Which one has captured your unfailing devotion? And why? Or, what book has captured your fancy with it's setting? <br /> </strong>Charlotte Featherstonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13785725026005235430noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1324563142240994232.post-50137004770859025652010-01-12T09:11:00.002-05:002010-01-12T09:21:09.158-05:00Charlotte's Getting A Makeover!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpsx7bZokV2laqTaH80EOMc04Qn0cH2u-oM1GYN0MGwNcDtlbtps0QydxI3mW3qTXeHTgzgZMMvd21BB-4-QdNeGN32e08U6qxoS2eIN-T7INufQ_5JXD7jkU9KKOPGKwhYu0xdFiN1wi3/s1600-h/courtesan.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 314px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpsx7bZokV2laqTaH80EOMc04Qn0cH2u-oM1GYN0MGwNcDtlbtps0QydxI3mW3qTXeHTgzgZMMvd21BB-4-QdNeGN32e08U6qxoS2eIN-T7INufQ_5JXD7jkU9KKOPGKwhYu0xdFiN1wi3/s320/courtesan.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425858176394698578" /></a><br />Well, not me per se, although that's something I've always wanted! But my website, <a href="http://www.charlottefeatherstone.net">Charlotte Featherstone.net.</a>It's time to get a new a look, not that there is anything wrong with the current look! It's just that I'm moving into a few new historical areas with my writing, and the site was going to need an overhaul anyway. So, I decided to take the plunge and go for it. My web mistress (Rae Monet) is fantastic, and she's got a lot of ideas for graphics. But what I'm stumped with is my part of the project--content. I've been pondering this all weekend. What do readers like, and expect when they go to an author's site? What keeps people coming back to check on what I'm up to? What brings new readers and visitors to a site, and what makes their visit memorable and enjoyable? <br /><br />So, I was wondering if I might pick the highly intelligent brains of our LIT followers. What are your pet peeves at author sites, what do you like, what do you think Charlotte <em>must</em> have at her new site?<br /><br />Thanks in advance for all your help!!!<br />Oh, and the site unveiling is going to coincide with the release of Sinful! Yeah, I'm so excited! A new site and Lord Wallingford revealed together!!! ;)Charlotte Featherstonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13785725026005235430noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1324563142240994232.post-12354370741693581422010-01-04T22:16:00.004-05:002010-01-06T14:30:57.694-05:00Welcome author Carrie Lofty to the Manor!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.carrielofty.com/images/bio_photo_1_thumb.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 125px; height: 188px;" src="http://www.carrielofty.com/images/bio_photo_1_thumb.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />Lord Craven-Moore and the LIT Ladies are delighted to welcome author Carrie Lofty to the Manor! Carrie's debut book (WHAT A SCOUNDREL WANTS, Zebra Books) was simply fabulous, and I know she's got a quite a treat in store for readers with her newest release, SCOUNDREL'S KISS (and whoa, what a gorgeous cover)! So, without further adieu, here's Carrie....<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">A Secondary Character Speaks</span><br /><br />Fernán Garza in SCOUNDREL'S KISS was a great surprise as I wrote this historical romance set in early 13th century Spain. With all of the attention paid to the Gavriel, a warrior monk, and to Ada, a recovering opium addict, Fernán became rather jealous. He insisted on having the opportunity to speak his mind. And good grief, can the boy talk...<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Do not worry. I have not been offended. After all, I am a fourth son, used to lingering at the fringes rather than standing at the center of attention. Some would call me a buffoon, but how else was I to compete with three older brothers? <br /><br />My brothers care little for me. In Castile, you see, estates are divided equally between all surviving children. To say I was an unwelcome addition to the roster of my siblings would understate the situation considerably.<br /><br />So what could I do to but prove myself as idle, ridiculous and cowardly as everyone assumed? Only my father's determination to make something of me ruined my fine time. A man like me, one who loves wine, women and song...confined to a monastery? Death would be a lesser punishment. At least in death I might dance with womanly angels. </span><br /><span style="font-style:italic;"><br />Now Gavriel...he was a man made for the austerity of monastic life. Too bad Ada spoiled his plans. I found it particularly amusing to watch him succumb to her rather mouthwatering charms. Love brings the (high and) mighty low. <br /><br />What was that? Did I ever fancy Ada for myself? Well, that is an amusing tale. No matter her wide eyes and arousing vulnerability, I left her to Gavriel. Not even in dreams did I try my hand at winning hers. And my reluctance was not entirely born out of respect for Gavriel's rather intimidating command of armaments. <br /><br />No, just because I am a buffoon and a fourth son and a very reluctant monk doesn't mean I cannot keep secrets. I have one that could get me killed, one that urged me to do something rather terrible...</span><br /><br />Well, that's the first time he's been quiet all day. I hope you'll pick up a copy of SCOUNDREL'S KISS to learn more about Fernán, his secrets, and what he's willing to do to keep them!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3507/3706380939_a918a790c7.jpg?v=0g"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 310px; height: 500px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3507/3706380939_a918a790c7.jpg?v=0g" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">How important are secondary characters to your enjoyment of historical romances? Leave a comment or question for your chance to win a copy of SCOUNDREL'S KISS. Best of luck, and thanks to Lust in Time for having me!</span><br /><br />You can find out more about SCOUNDREL'S KISS <a href="http://www.carrielofty.com/SK.html">here</a>. <br /><br />(Kristina says: Wow, set in Spain?! I cannot *wait* to read this book! Thanks so much for joining us here at LIT, Carrie!)<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><br />Edited to add: The winner of the book is MsHellion! See comments for details...</span>Kristi Cookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02369818655242695351noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1324563142240994232.post-248371456976457922009-12-31T08:41:00.003-05:002009-12-31T09:21:42.656-05:00Once In A Blue Moon<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfLZo7xueGZNVYUj-rhXmrp-pz5jhqn-qaW4Dj4mFg5z3vxWoDLI9H4Ha5i1fvhSucYOYr0K2vVIvoy9gQp13m2lQf0XX1P9WSr2KvBoi-9quZaamyu1UNiBqTUU_-og5eac2Oz1yDKygk/s1600-h/2007-12-smeltz-blue-moon.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 238px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfLZo7xueGZNVYUj-rhXmrp-pz5jhqn-qaW4Dj4mFg5z3vxWoDLI9H4Ha5i1fvhSucYOYr0K2vVIvoy9gQp13m2lQf0XX1P9WSr2KvBoi-9quZaamyu1UNiBqTUU_-og5eac2Oz1yDKygk/s320/2007-12-smeltz-blue-moon.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421400813507018258" /></a><br />Yes, really, two auspicious events are happening today...I'm blogging (I know, gasp!) and there is going to be a 'Blue Moon' tonight, this last night of 2009.<br /><br />A Blue Moon is really just an extra full moon beyond the 12 lunar cycles in a year. It occurs every 2-3yrs, and frequently does have a bluish, milky color to it, owing to dust particles, or swirling snow if you're in Canada, and daresay, the northern midwest of the US (I didn't forget you, Amanda!!). I think it's particularly fitting to have this rare event at the end of the year. It's a gift from Mother Nature, and a visible reminder that something new and exciting will soon follow. As a Cancer, I'm a moon child. I love moon gazing, and if it appears amongst heavy dark skies, I'm thrilled. The more 'angsty' the atmosphere, the more thrilling the charge. <br /><br />The moon has long been a source of magic, myth and power. I can see why the ancient civilizations, especially the Druids revered, and worshipped it. Imagine viewing a full moon, glowing bright from an oak grove during some ancient Druidic rite? Imagine witnessing the change in the normal silvery radiance into a burning orange glow at the time of harvest. I can imagine the awe of our forebears. I can imagine what they thought of the moon's powers to transform, and the wondered magic it housed.<br /><br />So, with this rare Blue Moon tonight, I'm convinced that my new year resolutions will be kept. I'm not vowing anything tricky. Yes, I have the standard, I will lose weight, I will eat better and not lack sleep, I will exercise...they're all there in the back of mind. But this year I'm resolving to find some inner peace. Contentment. 2009 has been incredibly good to me, and I have not always been so thankful and gracious for its gifts. In 2010 I will be grateful for what I have, and strive not to yearn for what I may not. I have been incredibly lucky to have such a supportive family and loving husband. I have good friends, and my writing career is taking off. I've gotten that elusive mass market writing contract and I've continued to grow as a writer. I have two wonderful 'sisters' both in friendship and writing with Kristina and Amanda. I also feel a common 'sisterhood' with our LIT visitors and friends. It is enough. More than enough.<br /> <br />So in 2010, I'm striving for an inner peace, and an awakened spirit that allows me to see just how fortunate I really am. It's been long in coming, and tonight, when I look out at the sky, and gaze upon the moon, I'm going to ask for peace and contentment. <br /><br />To all our LIT visitors, and our readers, on behalf of the LIT ladies and that rakish, outlandish Lord Craven-Moore (who is planning one hell of a rocking Hogmanay!) may you find peace, beauty, and contentment in the new year ahead. I toast to you, a dram of Drambuie so that you may not go thirsty this year, and I pass you a nice fat log of oak, so that your home and hearth may stay warm and cozy!<br /><br />All the best for 2010 from Amanda, Kristi, and Charlotte...oh, and Lord Craven-Moore, too!!!!Charlotte Featherstonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13785725026005235430noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1324563142240994232.post-76829390400417967742009-12-17T11:10:00.006-05:002009-12-17T13:02:43.752-05:00LIT Ladies on the 'Net Today....<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8seGkB2aBmh-a4LHb_ZKmyIhQVH0LpHJzArkNBz0zeBTOcUiD6PS5CBiP2DTe1bhFzFtkf9L8D4_qD13urCDKgVKPje0pbwg1zPBlbZKGBoevvWF_hyDdmxdN3ZupvEvhKcGVIrwOodKS/s1600-h/Winter'sDesire.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 206px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8seGkB2aBmh-a4LHb_ZKmyIhQVH0LpHJzArkNBz0zeBTOcUiD6PS5CBiP2DTe1bhFzFtkf9L8D4_qD13urCDKgVKPje0pbwg1zPBlbZKGBoevvWF_hyDdmxdN3ZupvEvhKcGVIrwOodKS/s320/Winter'sDesire.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5416238980717097122" /></a><br />I'm the featured author over at Erotic Romance Crush Junkies today, talking about the WINTER'S DESIRE anthology--pop over there and comment for a chance to win a copy of the book! <br /><a href="http://erjunkiesreviews.blogspot.com"><br />Erotic Romance Crush Junkies</a><br /><br />And Amanda has a very special guest at McIntyre's House of Muse today, for her Thursday Coffee Talk series--RT Bookreviews Convention Director Jo Carol Jones is guest blogging, and there's a *very* exciting prize being offered to one lucky commenter!! Go check it out:<br /><br /><a href="http://mcintyreshouseofmuse.blogspot.com/2009/12/thursday-coffee-talk-jo-carol-jones.html"><br />McIntyre's House of Muse</a><br /><br />Also, if you were waiting for a prize from Lord CM, he finally roused himself and made it to the post office--so goodies are on their way!Kristi Cookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02369818655242695351noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1324563142240994232.post-30114460773501293112009-12-15T11:53:00.000-05:002009-12-15T11:53:05.920-05:00Blog and contest at FRESH FICTION Today only!Hope you all are staying warm!!<br />
I'm blogging today over at <a href="http://freshfiction.com/page.php?id=2070"><strong>Fresh Fiction</strong></a> , talking about holiday traditions and the upcoming Winter Solstice! (Dec. 21)<br />
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Stop by if you have a sec and be automatically entered to win a copy of Winters Desire!! First in a mini-series of Celtic Spice anthologies from the LIT ladies!<br />
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</div>Amanda McIntyrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06301921471998752645noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1324563142240994232.post-16303399831577062492009-12-14T12:21:00.000-05:002009-12-14T12:21:57.567-05:00This 'bares' repeating!I'm sorry this pic has been on display before here at the manor, but honestly it does "bare" repeating!<br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;">Lord CM demonstrates a new form of "light bondage"...<br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Hope your holidays are merry and bright!!<br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><em>The LIT Ladies</em></span><br />
</div>Amanda McIntyrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06301921471998752645noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1324563142240994232.post-4045973140813083622009-12-08T13:11:00.000-05:002009-12-08T13:11:07.857-05:00Its All in the Details: Dec. 8 A visit with author, Victoria JanssenMy apologies to Victoria-(*stomping snow off boots) I'm afriad this midwestern storm and all the hoopla surrounding it has adled my barin and I forgot today was Tuesday! And that Victoria was getting in to the manor!! Come on where its warm and let me take off my gloves and scarf...brrr...the snow is picking up in intensity out there, so my guess is that Victoria--like it or not, you're here for at least a day or two!! Maybe you could share some of your fav holiday recipes as well--you dont have to make them--eating them is good enough for me!;)<br />
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So wrap your hands around your warm cuppa and help me welcome the talented Victoria Janssen to the LIT Manor! And, btw, Victoria, I was in a Barnes & Noble last week and picked up the book in real life!! Looks like a great read!<br />
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A fellow Spice author and with an imagination like no other, Victoria has brought to the reading world a bevy of fantasy, sensuality and history in her work! Her latest release, MOONLIGHT MISTRESS is another in her line-up of steamy, smart reads! Weclome, Victoria! Please tell us about your new release and what inspired this story. I see the cover gods at Spice once again were amazing in their gift! What a tantalizing cover!<br />
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It's great to be back at Lust in Time!<br />
My new book from Harlequin Spice, a historical with werewolves, is titled <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0373605366?ie=UTF8&tag=victojanss-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0373605366">The Moonlight Mistress</a> and it's out this month. I've been amusing myself by going through my copy and re-reading my favorite moments, many of which are bits of historical detail. I love the tiny bits best.<br />
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See, I am a total geek and really love research for its own sake. It grieves me that I don't have time to read every one of my research books cover to cover…I buy rather more research books than I really need, and some of them are only peripherally related to the topics of my novels, but they're all just so <i>interesting</i>! And that's not even counting the books I check out of the library.<br />
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Just in case some of you readers are research geeks as well, here are my favorite World War One historical bits from <i>The Moonlight Mistress</i> and where I found them. I think that often the most interesting details, that give the greatest sense of realism to the narrative, are not the most major. It's the tiny, unusual facts that stand out for the reader.<br />
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The novel's opening line is "There were no trains to Strasbourg." And this is absolutely true. When the first declarations of war were flying back and forth, all sorts of daily activities were affected. I pored over Lyn Macdonald's <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0140116516?ie=UTF8&tag=victojanss20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0140116516">1914: The Days of Hope</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=victojanss-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0140116516" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0px;" width="1" />, which is a collection of first-person accounts placed into chronological order. One of those accounts, from the very day Germany declared war, mentioned in passing that there were no trains to Strasbourg. I couldn't shake that bit of information from my head; something about the specificity of it, and the narrator's shock that things were not as they should be, perfectly summed up for me the feelings of a character who's just found out they are stranded. I never considered using another opening.<br />
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"Best of all, there was a shower…with brass fittings on three walls in the shape of lily blossoms, and tiled in green-and-white patterns like lacework." Though I took liberties with the decorative elements, this idea of this period-appropriate shower originated in one I actually saw, at Casa Loma in Toronto; the real shower actually had six taps at three different levels. As a side note, the fancy ducal stables in <i>The Duchess, Her Maid, The Groom and Their Lover</i> were based on stables I saw at Casa Loma.<br />
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The extensive section on the arrival of the British Expeditionary Force in France, and the subsequent battle and retreat, was mostly drawn from first-person accounts in Macdonald's <i>1914</i> with some fragments of information coming from several more general accounts of the First World War, including John Keegan's <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0375700455?ie=UTF8&tag=victojanss20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0375700455">The First World War</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=victojanss-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0375700455" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0px;" width="1" /> and, to a lesser extent, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0304366528?ie=UTF8&tag=victojanss-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0304366528">Paths of Glory: The French Army 1914-18</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=victojanss-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0304366528" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0px;" width="1" />. The fate of the regiment's boy trumpeters – to be left behind when their regiment sailed to war – came directly from the first-person accounts, as did the information that bandsmen might be assigned to be stretcher bearers. More than one account mentioned that many of the soldiers had new, ill-fitting boots. Even the crops growing in the fields the soldiers passed were all noticed by contemporary observers.<br />
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Many of the quotidian details about the lives of the British soldiers I drew from <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0007137524?ie=UTF8&tag=victojanss-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0007137524">Tommy: The British Soldier on the Western Front 1914-1918</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=victojanss-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0007137524" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0px;" width="1" /> by Richard Holmes, including small economic facts such as this one: "…Lincoln owed Hailey a guinea sixpence, enough for a new overcoat."<br />
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Finally, most of the information about the hospital where Lucilla goes to work were extrapolated from <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1862320322?ie=UTF8&tag=victojanss-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1862320322">The Women of Royaumont: A Scottish Women's Hospital on the Western Front</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=victojanss-20&l=as2&o=1&a=1862320322" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0px;" width="1" /> and several other volumes about or written by British nurses and VADs. After taking the basic information, that there were hospitals staffed almost entirely by women, I blended details from different sources to suit my purposes, combining occurrences and locations. For instance, "She managed a greeting in Hindustani; her phrases were limited, but efficient" was drawn from a first-person account by a nurse who served on a hospital train, in <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1426494947?ie=UTF8&tag=victojanss-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1426494947">Diary of a Nursing Sister on the Western Front: 1914-1915</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=victojanss-20&l=as2&o=1&a=1426494947" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0px;" width="1" />. Shipment and supply problems at Royaumont led me to include this bit of detail: "Tanks of nitrous oxide were procured, but some of the tanks of oxygen needed to mix with it had leaked and arrived empty, and had to be replaced."<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib2AJNn7amU68k3_T9kbA3v416rLa0gFEBq0rI0raDWXnjM-ZRJy_oMFITiJ6W2K0ahHayrDr5kzm-EtaSetOlF-cKUbL2y0BHj3ISw7TlA707iigY8fD2cIvrXgOfoSW_PFzibI_bgUpX/s1600/nurses-ww1-wounded-soldiers%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib2AJNn7amU68k3_T9kbA3v416rLa0gFEBq0rI0raDWXnjM-ZRJy_oMFITiJ6W2K0ahHayrDr5kzm-EtaSetOlF-cKUbL2y0BHj3ISw7TlA707iigY8fD2cIvrXgOfoSW_PFzibI_bgUpX/s320/nurses-ww1-wounded-soldiers%5B1%5D.jpg" yr="true" /></a><br />
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I could go on, but I think I've made my point. At the start of a project, you never know what details you might need and which sources might have the best details, so it's best to check out a wide range, and to pay close attention to everything.<br />
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~Victoria<br />
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So true, Victoria and the more detail , the more real it becomes for all of us as readers as well as writers, I think. Thanks for stopping by today and sharing with us the backstage process of this fascinating book! I think I have another for my TBR pile!!<br />
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</div>Amanda McIntyrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06301921471998752645noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1324563142240994232.post-21866787333859338542009-12-07T12:30:00.004-05:002009-12-07T13:02:25.160-05:00CHEERS! Holiday Drinks.....<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://d2umcibyw4ztss.cloudfront.net/img/118977/118977-0.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 211px; height: 211px;" src="http://d2umcibyw4ztss.cloudfront.net/img/118977/118977-0.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />Still talking holiday entertaining here at LIT--wish I was as clever as Amanda and could post in verse form, but alas....I have no poetic talents whatsoever! <br /><br />I know Amanda and Charlotte will likely have some exciting holiday libations to share, but I thought I'd share my favorite, family-friendly holiday punch--a recipe that my mom submitted to <span style="font-style:italic;">Southern Living</span> magazine back when I was a kid, and they published it! <br /><br />I serve this wonderfully flavorful, fragrant punch in a beautiful cut-glass punch bowl with matching little punch glasses, and it's generally the centerpiece of my buffet table, surrounded by holiday greenery. <br /><br />Enjoy!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Laurie's Cranberry-Cinnamon Punch</span><br /><br />1 lb. fresh cranberries<br />4.5 to 5 qts. water, divided<br />2 1/4 c. sugar<br />3/4 c. to 1 c. hot cinnamon candies (i.e. "Red Hots")<br />2 whole cloves<br />1 (12 oz.) can frozen orange juice concentrate, undiluted<br />juice of 3 lemons<br /><br />Carefully sort and wash cranberries; cook in 1 qt. water until skins burst (about 5 min.). Strain off juice and set aside. <br /><br />Combine 1 qt. water, sugar, candies, and cloves; heat, stirring until candies have dissolved. <br /><br />Combine cranberry juice, sugar mixture, orange juice concentrate, lemon juice, and 2 1/2 to 3 qts. water; stir well. Chill. Yields about 5 qts. <br /><br />You can garnish the punch with slices of orange or lemon, if you'd like. Oh, and it's also delicious served hot! (that's how I drink the leftovers!) <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Okay, your turn--share some of your favorite holiday drinks (non-alcoholic or alcoholic!) in the comments! </span><br /><br />And in the meantime, I'll leave you with this....Enya singing "Oíche Chiúin" ("Silent Night" in Gaelic). When I was writing "Lover's Dawn," I listened to this track over and over again, to help set the mood. It's perhaps my new favorite piece of holiday music (and you can find it on her "And Winter Came" album). <br /><br /><object width="340" height="285"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Uy6ba_M6zww&hl=en_US&fs=1&color1=0x5d1719&color2=0xcd311b&border=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Uy6ba_M6zww&hl=en_US&fs=1&color1=0x5d1719&color2=0xcd311b&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="340" height="285"></embed></object>Kristi Cookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02369818655242695351noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1324563142240994232.post-47619240418526763262009-12-04T10:17:00.001-05:002009-12-04T10:20:30.811-05:00Seasonal delights short story: Finding the Holiday Log<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>"Okay, I found it!!" she screamed as she rushed in all bundled from the early morning chill. "I had to walk in the knee deep snow--uphill,both ways to get it...but I got it!"<br />
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"I got "it" this morning too, my sweeting." Lord CM glanced with a smile at Kristi. "What blazing scheme have you got stirring in that head of yours now, Amanda?"<br />
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Charolotte appeared at the door, her hair dischelved, a smile on her face.<br />
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"The log! I found the log!" Amanda spoke enthusiasitically.<br />
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Lord C.M. chuckled. "Ladies,there is no need to search the countryside for the perfect yule log. Why, I have it right here..."<br />
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"Stop!" Charlotte held up her hand. "I need coffee first and plenty of it!" She stumbled to the cupboard and fumbled for her favorite cup. "I really need a big one this morning," she muttered, purusing the array of mugs.<br />
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Lord C.M. sipped his steaming cuppa and grinned. "That can be arranged, my dear."<br />
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"Do you think of nothing else?" Amanda tossed at Lord C.M. as she swept into the kitchen beginning to collect her ingredients.<br />
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The sultry Lord of the manor, clad only in his festive red silk boxers, grabbed Amanda's arm, hauling her against his brick-like chest. "Only when forced, my love. And you know I like it that way, too."<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPUQJ198XFcPBlu43wZfXvUBqrO9aPbXhkHeqSyQe1b6Z4crXAXqkTiNP0Kyci4Li6N8sTPivmg-5INpFmMsXMLpz5ZdEXBCA_ecbJR-zbNgeL8cAtEt4h3ow0NkbwveDuI0FCjQZryhW0/s1600-h/_Silk_Boxer_MS2205_6599.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" er="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPUQJ198XFcPBlu43wZfXvUBqrO9aPbXhkHeqSyQe1b6Z4crXAXqkTiNP0Kyci4Li6N8sTPivmg-5INpFmMsXMLpz5ZdEXBCA_ecbJR-zbNgeL8cAtEt4h3ow0NkbwveDuI0FCjQZryhW0/s200/_Silk_Boxer_MS2205_6599.jpg" /></a><br />
</div>Tempted to take him up on his offer, Amanda sighed. "I promised to share this recipe with our guests. Now are you going to help me , or continue to be a sexy pest and detour me?"<br />
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"Is that a choice?" he asked with a smirk.<br />
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"For now," she replied, swatting his firm backside. Kristi and Charlotte joined in the fun!<br />
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"This may be the best holiday ever," Lord C.M. laughed as he held out his arms to gather the three women to him.<br />
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"Our guests, Lord C.M...." Amanda reminded him.<br />
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"Ah yes, come sit here and read me your list. Let us find what is so delightful about this log recipe of yours." He said patting his knee.<br />
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"Very well." The three gathered in the cozy booth of the kitchen nook and followed along as Amanda read.<br />
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Dried Beef Log<br />
<br />
Lord C. M. chuckled. "Hardly dried."<br />
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"Hush," Kristi scolded him. "Go on, Amanda."<br />
<br />
"You need: <br />
<strong>1/2 lb of dried beef, sliced between 1/4 and 1/8 of an inch.</strong><br />
<strong>1 lb. Velveeta cheese</strong><br />
<strong>3 oz. cream cheese</strong><br />
<strong>6 slices of bacon (cooked and crumbled)</strong><br />
<strong>Line a jelly roll pan with wax paper, lay out beef slices, slightlt overlapping pieces.</strong><br />
<strong>Melt cheeses (in microwave or on stove) and pour over the beef. Sprinkle the bacon bits </strong><br />
<strong>on the melted cheese and roll-starting at edges--the width of the pan. Wrap waxed paper roll in foil, tuck ends and refrigerate. Flavors meld as it chills. Unwrap the log...</strong><br />
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"I like the sound of that!" Lord C.M. interjected.<br />
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"Do you remember the year we got the giant red bow and..." Charolotte giggled.<br />
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</div>"Can I finish, please?" Amanda asked offering the two an exasperated side-glance. She was determined to get through this recipe!<br />
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"Unwrap the log and slice in 1/4 inch slices. Serve alone or on crackers or cocktail breads."<br />
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"What in blazes in a "<em>cocktail bread</em>?" Lord C.M. grabbed the recipe from Amanda's hand.<br />
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"Certainly not one size fits all, my lord," Kristi purred.<br />
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"We'll explain later," Amanda said. "But doesnt this sound delicious to make for the season?"<br />
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"Indeed, anything the three of you stirs up in the kitchen makes me weak in the knees," Lord C.M. offered chaste kisses all around. "We'd better get started then!"<br />
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"Indeed," Amanda stated with a smile. "We love it when you're on your knees!"Amanda McIntyrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06301921471998752645noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1324563142240994232.post-36108787850926454072009-12-03T13:13:00.005-05:002009-12-03T16:53:48.070-05:00Holiday Traditions...and Appetizers Galore!<span style="font-style:italic;">It was Christmas Eve. Aisling laid her head back on the chaise longue’s tasseled pillow and stared up at the ceiling, listening to the sounds of bustling activity below. Her father had arrived home that very morning, Jack the day before. The entire household was now in a tizzy, preparing for the Wainscott’s annual Christmas Eve open house. <br /> <br />At that very moment, Aisling’s mother was downstairs with the housekeeper, making certain that every little light on the Christmas tree was twinkling brightly, that every red velvet bow was straight, that the eggnog was perfect and the wassail just so. <br /> <br />In no time, their guests would begin to arrive. A buffet supper would be served, followed by a pantomime, and then a concert featuring traditional holiday music. The evening’s festivities would conclude at the stroke of midnight when the musicians played “Silent Night.” Each guest would light a taper and form a processional through the house and out the front door, where they’d all gather in the drive and stare up at the night sky for a few moments before blowing out their candles, gathering their coats, and heading back to their own homes. <br /> <br />These events had happened in precisely that order as far back as Aisling could remember.</span><br /> <br>--From “Lover’s Dawn” in WINTER’ DESIRE<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://images.marthastewart.com/images/content/pub/ms_living/2001Q4/a99057_1201_turkeyhill_xl.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 360px; height: 450px;" src="http://images.marthastewart.com/images/content/pub/ms_living/2001Q4/a99057_1201_turkeyhill_xl.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />‘Tis the Season….to entertain! And what better way than with delicious appetizers? Make enough of a variety, and you can even call it a light meal. When I was growing up, my parents traditionally invited over friends on Christmas Eve for appetizers and dessert, and I can’t even imagine Christmas Eve without my mom’s sausage balls (yum—but unfortunately they can’t pull double-duty as a Hanukkah treat). I’ve since added a couple new favorites to my appetizer repertoire, roasted red pepper tartlets and spinach artichoke dip. This year, I plan to continue the tradition of inviting over friends for a little pre-holiday cheer, and you can bet the three recipes below will be served! Enjoy!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.foodchannel.com/gallery/sausage-cheese-balls.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 154px; height: 180px;" src="http://www.foodchannel.com/gallery/sausage-cheese-balls.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><br />Sausage Balls</span><br />2 c. Bisquick<br />12 oz. sharp cheddar cheese<br />1 lb. sausage (hot or mild, depending on taste—I use Jimmy Dean brand)<br /><br />Grate the cheese, the finer the better. Mix all ingredients and roll into bite-size<br />Balls. Bake at 350 degrees for 15 min. Can be frozen and reheated. <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Red Pepper Tartlets</span><br /><br />4 c. roasted red pepper strips (approx. 6 med. Sized peppers) OR 2 7oz. jars roasted red peppers, drained.<br />2 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil<br />2 Tbsp. minced fresh Italian parsley<br />1 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice<br />2 tsp. capers, drained<br />1 med. clove garlic, smashed, peeled, and mashed to a paste with<br />¼ tsp. kosher salt<br />1 small container ricotta cheese (optional) <br />1 package pre-made phyllo tartlet shells (I get these in my grocer’s freezer aisle)<br /><br />Arrange drained peppers on a double layer of paper towels, and let them dry while preparing the recipe. Combine the remaining ingredients—except for pastry shells and ricotta cheese!—in the work bowl of a food processor. Process until the capers and parsley are very finely chopped. Add the drained peppers and process using on/off pulses, until the peppers are coarsely chopped. Stop several times to scrape down the sides of the work bowl to make sure mixture is evenly chopped. Check seasonings and adjust as necessary. Keep mixture in refrigerator till ready to serve—then remove to room temp. for 30 min. <br /><br />Prepare phyllo tartlet shells as directed on the packaging. Then, fill each shell with a spoonful of red pepper mixture, and top with a dollop of ricotta cheese, if you like. Heat briefly before serving.<br /><br />Alternately, you can simply make the red pepper mixture and serve it as a dip—delicious with chunks of sourdough bread, or even tortilla chips. <br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Spinach Artichoke Dip</span><br /><br />2 6 oz. jars marinated artichoke hearts (drain, but reserve liquid for consistency)<br />2-3 cloves garlic chopped fine<br />1 10 oz. pkg. chopped spinach (defrosted and drained well)<br />1 lb. hot pepper cheese (Monterey Jack with chilies is good)<br />3 yellow chilies or jalapenos boiled for 20 min. and then chopped (do not discard seeds--you can substitute a few bits of jarred jalapenos for above, chopped, to taste)<br />½ bunch cilantro (optional—I hate cilantro, so I omit)<br />½ cup low-fat mayonnaise<br /><br />Mix all ingredients and add just enough liquid from artichoke hearts to moisten. <br />Pour into small casserole dish that has been lightly sprayed with Pam.<br />Bake uncovered for 30 min. at 350 degrees. Serve with tortilla chips. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i.timeinc.net/realsimple/i/p/Nov05/1105_spinach_artichoke_dip.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 158px; height: 164px;" src="http://i.timeinc.net/realsimple/i/p/Nov05/1105_spinach_artichoke_dip.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a> <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">What are some of your favorite holiday appetizers? Please share in the comments section!</span>Kristi Cookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02369818655242695351noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1324563142240994232.post-38521860556138398862009-12-01T08:43:00.001-05:002009-12-01T11:02:34.009-05:00Seasonal Delights: Cinnamon Ornaments<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><em>Every room was alive with the scents of the solstice season. Roped pine branches curled around the railings from the keep entrance to the upper chambers. Bright red-berried mistletoe festoned the fragrant greenery and brought the gaiety of the holiday to the entire castle.</em><br />
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<em>It was, as it had been for as long as I could remember, my most favorite time of year. My mother had dreamed that I would marry on the full moon of the solstice. And with the king's blessing, allowing the ceremony here at Durwain, in a small way she would be here, if only in spirit</em>.~Winter Awakening in Winter's Desire-A. McIntyre<br />
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Like Sabeline, I have many memories of Christmas's past that bring me joy to recall and I look forward to passing them on to my grandchildren some day-until then I'd like to share them with you!<br />
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This is a "primitives" recipe that I used to make with my kids when they were small. They also make wonderful room scents all year long as you can cut them into any shape that you'd like. They add a nice touch to gift tags or to those small gifts. Especially nice for teachers, Sunday school helpers, or neighbors and attach with a box of homemade goodies!<br />
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</div>The recipe:<br />
1 cup of ground cinnamon<br />
1 teaspoon ground all-spice<br />
1 teaspoon ground cloves<br />
1 teaspoon of ground nutmeg<br />
1 cup of applesauce<br />
<br />
Mix dry ingredients. Add applesauce a little at a time (Mixture should have consistency of play-dough, so you can work it with your hands.) If mixture is to dry, add 1-2 tablespoons of applesauce. Roll out dough to 1/4 inch thickness on an ungreased surface. If mixture is too sticky to handle, sprinkle surface with a bit of cinnamon.<br />
<br />
Use sharp-edged cookie cutters to cut out as desired. Place on level surface (I leave mine on the cookie sheet of cutting board) and air-dry for 4-5 days.(Turn them once half way through)<br />
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Recipe makes about two dozen ornaments, depending on the size of the cookie cutter. Use the end of a straw or small round stick to create a hole that you can put wire or ribbon through after it's dry. Ornaments will lighten in color as they dry.<br />
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You'll enjoy the fresh aromatic scent for months to come, and on a tree they are really beautiful with strung cranberries and popcorn. Or for a lovely centerpiece, make a few and add to a wooden bowl filled with cloved oranges and fresh evergreen boughs!<br />
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<strong><em>Share your favorite ornament or decorative recipe and be entered to win a multi-author signed copy of the beautiful Winter's Desire coverflat!</em></strong><br />
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Nollaig shona!<br />
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AmandaAmanda McIntyrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06301921471998752645noreply@blogger.com13