Thursday 13 - Sex Bucket List

I found a “bucket list” of 69 Things 2 Do Before You Die.  It’s actually a Playboy TV adult news magazine show that features exotic locales, adventures and erotic trends.  I picked a few that would be fun.  What would you put on your sexy bucket list?

1. Sensual massage in Hawaii.

2.  Take a trip to tantalizing resort, Maya Tulum,  for beaches, yoga & spa.  Clothing optional.

3.  Attend a fetish convention in the Caribbean.

4.  Visit Prague to see the Sex Machines Museum and pick up some tips from the ladies at a brothel.

5. Have sex on a balcony or porch.

6.  Take a bubble bath with someone special in a tub that actually has room to play in.

7.  Go boating naked in the Ozarks.

8.  Attend a male naked volleyball tournament.

9.  Check out a sex club in San Francisco.

10.  Take stripper classes in Vegas.

11. Attend a Sacred Sex workshop.

12. See a show at the world famous Crazy Horse Paris, in Paris.

13. Make love under the Northern Lights in Alaska.

Here's a link to another fun Sex Bucket List. 

The Sex Bucket List is an adult activity book written by Michael Lucente. It is intended for adult entertainment purposes only as a fun tool for two lovers to expand and experiment in their sexuality as an intimate couple. This book offers many fun and engaging ideas, and some challenges, to couples looking to try new sexual activities together before “kicking the bucket”


Mary Quast is a contemporary erotic romance author.
Check out Handcuffs & Silk a 1 Night Stand story.
Queen of Hearts a sweet romance.

How to Be a Successful Writer in 10 Minutes a Day (Humor)

Success!

A little humor to start your workday. Here's how you can be a successful writer without really trying. I can sum it up for you in one honest hashtag: #aintgonnahappen

But if you want a formula for what most writers do in a ten-minute period, this is accurate (for the most part).

Minute 1: Do warm up exercises for your hands to prevent carpal tunnel syndrome. Every writer should do these. The exercises are pleasant, and simple. They consist of lifting a coffee cup, sipping from it, and putting it back down. Repeat with the other hand.

Minute 2: Open a blank word processing document and save it as Chapter One. Be sure the proper formatting is in place. One inch margins all around, Arial, Calibri, Times, or Times New Roman in 12 point font.

Minute 3: Take a break. Play Spider Solitaire, Mahjongg, or a word search puzzle.

Minute 4: Repeat the warm up exercises before going back to work, to ensure your hands are limber.

Minute 5: Open a blank word processing document and save it as Chapter Two. Double check the formatting. Set a new format to indent automatically five spaces when starting a new paragraph, and name it Editing.

Minute 6: Take a break. Check email. (Note, if time runs over one minute, this is okay because checking email falls under marketing, another vital activity for writers.)

Minute 7: You have been sitting for some time by now, so stand up, and stretch your legs. If possible, take a walk, such as to the kitchen to fetch fresh coffee for your hand exercises.

Minute 8: Open a previously edited document and see if anything needs to be tweaked. Look for oft-used words. If you don't yet have a list of these, begin compiling these now. This should include phrases such as "shook his head" and "folded his arms."

Essential Exercise Equipment

Minute 9: Repeat the warm up exercises. Fetch more coffee if needed. Check the coffee, creamer, and sugar supply while up, and add to the grocery list if needed. While doing so, consider the meal plan for the week, and make additions to the shopping list.

Minute 10: Check email for notes from your editor and/or beta readers. Since this email visit is for writing-related purposes, check the blogs to which you've subscribed.

And there you have it. A ten minute process that has the potential to carry you throughout the day. Will it make you successful? That depends solely on your agent, whose job it is to land you a contract. Right? Right?

- - -

About the Author
Kayelle Allen is an award-winning, multi-published author. Her heroes and heroines include badass immortals, warriors who purr, and agents who find...well, the unfindable. And sometimes (shh!) make them disappear again. She is known for unstoppable heroes, uncompromising love, and unforgettable passion. You can find her on the web in these places:
Homeworld http://kayelleallen.com
Facebook http://facebook.com/kayelleallen.author
Twitter http://twitter.com/kayelleallen
Blog http://kayelleallen.blogspot.com

Ads, Awards, Luck of the Irish and EPICon

 Okay, I'm sharing a big squeeee!! My Eclipse Heat series title, Five Card Stud, is a finalist in the 2012 EPIC Awards@ EPICon this weekend in San Antonio, Texas.

                                                                                                  I am so excited, for the first time ever I'm promoing in paper/print. The ad is black and white, half page, and appears in the EPIC Award Program that goes to each Awards Banquet attendee. Michael Bookman of Hartshine.com (also my website developer) put this together for me.

I don't know how much attention anyone pays to these ads (I read them) or if it will have any impact on sales (I sure hope so) but seeing the final draft I'm totally in love with my book all over again.

My book is in the historical romance category and has some stiff competition. Of course, I've now read all of these, *cheesy grin* and I'm enormously complimented to have Five Card Stud included in this group. Here they are:

EPICon 2012 Historical Romance Finalists

Five Card Stud Gem Sivad Ellora's Cave Publishing
For Love Is New Jean Hart Stewart Passion in Print
Healing Hearts Taryn Kincaid Carina Press
Passage to November Phyllis DeMarco The Wild Rose Press
Red Bird's Song Beth Trissel The Wild Rose Press

On Saturday night, St. Patrick's Day, hubs and I will be out drinking green beer in a local bar not sitting in San  Antonio. But I'll raise a mug to everyone in the competition. Good luck to us all and hope to see you next year. 

 

Gem

Sweet Monday Mojo

In honor of St. Patrick's Day I thought I'd post something Irish to get your mojo going.

 If the handsome Irishman didn't do it then try a couple of my favorite St. Patty recopies.  I suggest making them and enjoying them with your special someone.

            Chocolate-Irish Cream Cheesecake

Ingredients:Chocolate-Irish Cream Cheesecake

·         1 1/2 cups finely crushed chocolate wafers (about 18 cookies)*

·         6 tablespoons butter, melted*

·         1/2teaspoon ground cinnamon

·         3 8 ounce packages cream cheese, softened

·         1 8 ounce carton dairy sour cream

·         1 cupsugar

       ·         1 8 ounce package semisweet chocolate, melted and cooled

·         3 eggs

·         1/2cupIrish cream liqueur

·         2 tablespoons whipping cream or milk

·         2 teaspoons vanilla

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. For crust, in a medium bowl, combine crushed chocolate wafers, melted butter, and cinnamon; toss gently to mix. Press mixture onto the bottom and up the side of a 9- or 10-inch springform pan. Set aside.
2.  For filling, in a large bowl, combine cream cheese, sour cream, sugar, and melted chocolate. Beat with an electric mixer on medium to high speed until smooth. Using a wooden spoon, stir in eggs just until combined. Stir in liqueur, whipping cream or milk, and vanilla.

 3.  Pour filling into the crust-lined pan. Place springform pan in shallow baking pan. Bake for 50 to 60 minutes or until center appears nearly set when gently shaken.

 4.  Cool in springform pan on a wire rack for 15 minutes. Using a small sharp knife, loosen from side of pan. Cool for 30 minutes more. Remove side of springform pan. Cool for 1 hour. Cover and chill for at least 6 hours or up to 24 hours. Makes 16 servings.

Chocolate Stout Shake

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup chocolate stout beer or stout beer
• 1/2 cup prepared chocolate fudge ice cream topping
• 1/2 gallon vanilla bean ice cream
• 1 cupmilk
• 6 purchased chocolate-and-nut-covered pretzel rods (optional)

Directions

1. In a small saucepan heat beer and chocolate topping until warm and combined. Cool slightly.

2. Meanwhile, in a blender combine ice cream and milk, half at a time. Cover and blend until combined. Divide ice cream mixture among 8 glasses. Drizzle with chocolate sauce and, if desired, serve with chocolate-covered pretzel rods. Makes 8 servings.

Chocolate Stout ShakePreheat oven to 325 degrees F. For crust, in a medium bowl, combine crushed chocolate wafers, melted butter, and cinnamon; toss gently to mix. Press mixture onto the bottom and up the side of a 9- or 10-inch springform pan. Set aside.

Cool in springform pan on a wire rack for 15 minutes. Using a small sharp knife, loosen from side of pan. Cool for 30 minutes more. Remove side of springform pan. Cool for 1 hour. Cover and chill for at least 6 hours or up to 24 hours. Makes 16 servings.

 Cool in springform pan on a wire rack for 15 minutes. Using a small sharp knife, loosen from side of pan. Cool for 30 minutes more. Remove side of springform pan. Cool for 1 hour. Cover and chill for at least 6 hours or up to 24 hours. Makes 16 servings.

Chocolate Stout ShakePreheat oven to 325 degrees F. For crust, in a medium bowl, combine crushed chocolate wafers, melted butter, and cinnamon; toss gently to mix. Press mixture onto the bottom and up the side of a 9- or 10-inch springform pan. Set aside.

Cool in springform pan on a wire rack for 15 minutes. Using a small sharp knife, loosen from side of pan. Cool for 30 minutes more. Remove side of springform pan. Cool for 1 hour. Cover and chill for at least 6 hours or up to 24 hours. Makes

 Cool in springform pan on a wire rack for 15 minutes. Using a small sharp knife, loosen from side of pan. Cool for 30 minutes more. Remove side of springform pan. Cool for 1 hour. Cover and chill for at least 6 hours or up to 24 hours. Makes 16 s

Sunday with ShapeShifter Seductions ~ Khyffa & Destoiyov

Pic from ~ animals.desktopnexus.com ~

Sunday howls and yowls, shapeshifter lovers.

The following flash fiction is not erotic romance, or even romantic. However, you might enjoy it anyway.
~~~~~~

How Free Energy Came to Talbot's Peak

It was her business, her only business -- breaking the innocent out of prison, then finding them a safe place to live.

Khyffa stood on the mountain ledge high above the enormous prison compound. Storm winds whipped around her slight frame staving off some of the unpleasant smells now assaulting her nostrils. Lasering her gaze through the darkness of night, she searched for the exact location of the man she was about to rescue.

An inventor of a free energy device, Destoiyov had been forced into his current circumstances on the usual trumped up charges. He'd refused to be bought off, only wanting to share his invention with those who most needed it.

Having thoroughly studied Destoiyov's file ether-sent to her crystalline tablet from her contact at COSMOZ -- a dragon shapeshifter who headed up their league of 'mythical and legendary' beasts -- Khyffa knew the young inventor had been directly threatened by thug-minions of the ruthless Controllers.

He'd been told if he didn't shut up permanently his mother and sister would be taking a permanent dive off the balcony of their sixth floor apartment in Miami, Florida. Given they were dolphin shapeshifters, their ancestors from the time of Poseidon, the dive might not have been a problem. However, the injected toxin paralyzing their lungs would guarantee they'd be sleeping with the fishies.

Khyffa sniffed the winds as she released her wings, immense, black feathered affairs that could bear the weight of her equine body. She allowed her shift to be painstakingly slow. Khyffa knew she would require every last ounce of her flying speed and strength this night.

Spreading her wings to catch the lift of the strong swirling winds, she judged the power of the incoming storm first, then launched off the ledge. Once again, the glorious feeling of flight spun through her, ephemeral, and yet so beautifully fierce.

Khyffa soared on a down draft, the back and forth sweep of her wings guiding her toward one of the center cell blocks. Usually her appearance so stunned the guards, they didn't fire their weapons -- instead engaging in an internal debate about the state of their sanity. Regardless, her kind owned a natural field that would deflect the bullets.

Closing in on the prison roof, Khyffa tightened her wings like a swooping predator. Moments later, she flicked her tail to slightly alter her trajectory, then streaked toward the cell that imprisoned Destoiyov.

****

Crossing his arms, Destoiyov locked them across his chest. With depression his only companion, he slumped against one corner of the disgusting prison cell. It was a damn good thing... maybe... that he'd inherited a strong human side as a dolphin shapeshifter, or the lack of ocean water would have likely meant his untimely death.

Something kept him awake. Tonight it wasn't the ugly cacophony of snores echoing through the prison or his restless need to swim, to soar through the water's silkiness, wild, free, with an endless beauty before him.

A sudden blast of white fiery light caused Desz to instinctively shield his eyes with one arm. But the rush of wind against the entire length of his body made him to open them fast. After moments of blindness, he blinked not believing the vision before him.

A Pegasus? Here? Oh, he knew, or he'd been told they still existed... but living in the modern western world... well, he'd never seen one before... and... Desz slowly lowered his arm with the thought that he was actually asleep and dreaming.

But why was the majestic gorgeous creature staring at him, then tossing it's muzzle toward it's back like an invitation. Even the amazing, huge black wings were lowered so he could simply leap astride.

Well damn if this was a dream, why not? As if he'd suddenly sprouted wings instead of fins, Desz ran several steps, grabbed a hank of the Pegasus' silver-white mane, and mounted.

So you're not a fool, he heard in his mind, even as the creature backed up swiftly, spun on its hind hooves, and sprang through the large hole in the outer wall. Within an instant, they sailed into the night sky.

Hang onto the collar handles. With his stomach threatening to lodge in his throat, Desz seized the stiff leather loops.

Good boy. We have a long flight ahead. On either side of Desz, the Pegasus powerfully flapped its moon-glistening wings. In the back of his mind, he realized the storm that had been forecast for the early morning hours hadn't arrived. Yet he could smell the ozone and the winds buffeted him.

Looking downward, Desz gulped repeatedly. He heard faint shouts, then the spotlights blazed, followed by the alarm system. The sound wailed around him like a group of giant cats who screeched because their tails had been stepped on by Goliath.

Don't look down. The Pegasus' definitely feminine voice sarcastically filled his head.

Right, he answered. Won't look down.

They soared higher above the prison, and the Pegasus' long arcing path took them away from the mountainside, and toward a long stretch of farmland. Desz only knew about the lay of the land because of the bus ride to the prison.

What if they send drones after us? He thought to ask, having witnessed a recent demonstration at the prison. Afterward, he'd been coerced into agreeing to work on a free energy cell small enough to power the drone. Now... maybe, that nightmare was over.

Such machines mean nothing to me. We are safe for now.

For now?

Do you know about Talbot's Peak, Montana?

A shapeshifter haven, Desz tentatively answered, having only encountered a couple of rumors while swimming as dolphin, and speaking with the members of other pods.

Yes. You will be free to make your free energy devices there.

Desz could hardly believe his... his inner mental ears. Really?

Promise me you will distribute them to everyone who wants them, and I will make certain the components and materials are available.

Thrown for a loop, and not the kind of loop he playfully performed on the sunny surface of the ocean, Desz hesitated. But what did he have to lose? He was astride a female Pegasus who looked like the most beautiful dream. Plus, she was offering to make his dream come true.

I promise.

~~~~~~

~ Have a Magickal Shapeshifting Month of March ~

Savanna

Savanna Kougar ~ Run on the Wild Side of Romance ~
~~~

Lost Irish Treats and One Hot Irishman

With St. Patrick's Day coming up and being on a diet I thought I'd list my favorite St. Patty treats that I will miss enjoying this year.

1.  Shamrock Cookies.

2. Chocolate-Irish Cream Cheesecake.  Get the recipe.

3. Irish Black Bun Shamrock Cookies.  Get the recipe. 

4. Irish Chocolate Ice Cream (You add a cup of Irish whiskey to chocolate ice cream.  Yeah, baby!)

5. Shamrock Milkshake Cupcakes.

6. Black & White Irish Cream Cupcakes.  Get the recipe. 

7. Chocolate Stout Shake.  (Chocolate stout beer + choc. fudge + vanilla bean ice cream + milk = YUMMY!)

8. Toffee-Coffee Brownies.  Get the recipe.

9.  St. Patty Cupcakes with green M&Ms

10. Dublin Eggnog.  (Eggnog + double-strength coffee + 6oz of Irish whiskey= wide awake fun)

11. Green beer.  I don't usually drink beer but thought I'd better put it on my list any ways.

12.  Rainbow Cupcakes. This recipe is so cool.  Check it out.

13. Toffee Shortbread.  Ah... buttery shortbread, a layer of toffee with chocolate topping.  Sigh.  A favorite sweet among families in Ireland.  Get the recipe. 

If you've been paying attention, you'll notice McDonald's shamrock shake is not on my list.  That's because I've already had two.  Oops.

I'll leave you with this thought...

what better way to burn calories than to get all hot over a sexy Irishman! 

Here ya go!

13 Tips for Writing Good Dialogue

Izzorah Ceeow - from Surrender Love. 

Here are some simple ways you can make your characters' voices come alive. I'll use examples from my book Surrender Love.

1. Use action to describe who is speaking rather than "he said" or "she said." A two-paragraph example: “Very well, sir.” McDoth, the referee serving Luc as a butler in this lifetime, offered him a glass, but didn’t release it until Luc met his steady gaze. “I miss him as well.” //  Luc swallowed, tongue jammed hard against the back of his teeth. When he could trust his voice, he cleared his throat. “Don’t worry over him. He’s made his choice. He has a new life.”
2. Which is a good time to bring up a point about characters of the same gender conversing. Repeated use of pronouns to describe who's speaking can be confusing. Action helps determine who is doing what.
3. Avoid long interchanges of dialogue without some way for readers to tell who is speaking. If you have short sentences, scatter physical references among them.

- - - Here's a section of short dialog without references. - - -

“Welcome home, Luc How was your day?”

“Day? Long. My day was long. Did you sleep well? You look rested.”

“Yes, thank you.”

“You’re not wearing your sling.”

“I don’t need it. I feel good. I’m not in pain.”

“Let’s have dinner.”

“McDoth fixed steak and baked potato. He says it’s your favorite. Mine too.”

“Excellent. Hungry?”

“Starved. Do you have an appetite for something good?”

“Izzorah, you have no idea how much of an appetite.”

- - - Now, the same passage with references. - - -

“Welcome home, Luc.” Izzorah folded his hands before him. “How was your day?”

“Day?” Luc could not think of a single detail, his shaft demanding too much attention, rearing to life and ready to play. “Long.” He smiled. “My day was long. Did you sleep well? You look rested.”

He braced one hand against the desk. “Yes, thank you.”

“You’re not wearing your sling.”

“I don’t need it.” He stretched both arms. “I feel good. I’m not in pain.”

Luc turned as if to go, reaching back to invite Izzorah’s hand. “Let’s have dinner.”

He slid his hand into Luc’s. “McDoth fixed steak and baked potato. He says it’s your favorite. Mine too.”

“Excellent.” Luc drew him close, smiled down into his eyes. “Hungry?”

He offered a flirty smile full of innocent charm. “Starved. Do you have an appetite for something good?”

Luc chuckled. “Izzorah, you have no idea how much of an appetite.” But you will.

                                                                                                                               

Which is easier to follow? Which has more characterization?

4. Dialogue is important, and can reveal a great deal about character, but it's often the references and narrative that bring home the point.
5. Although not technically dialogue, a character's inner thoughts are a form of speaking. Publishers differ in how they handle this. Some prefer italics, others may leave them as plain text. If you self publish, decide for yourself what you're going to do, and then do it consistently so that readers come to understand what it is, and what to expect.
6. Dialogue reveals the time period of a story. If your story is set in the Highlands of Scotland, you expect to hear a bit of brogue in speech. Be careful not to overdue it, but pick certain words that are always spoken the same way, and stick with it. Sometimes, that's enough of a hint as to who is speaking.
7. A character's voice, not the pitch or tone but the manner in which he or she speaks is almost always shown by dialogue. McDoth, who is a servant android, works as a butler for Luc Saint-Cyr. As such, he's a bit pedantic. This plays as comedic relief at some points, but also shows us the difference between the world of Luc's young lover, who is an alien, and Luc's world. Here's a bit of dialogue where the android has examined Izzorah's feet to determine which shoes he should wear. “Part of my medical programming is to perform deep tissue scans for bone or muscle damage. I cross-referenced the finer readings to human and Kin podiatric measuring systems and adjusted the correlation to parameters for best fit, then, allowing for fashion, color, and purpose, chose the most suitable replacement from available footwear.”
8. Responses in dialogue are also key. Here is Izzorah's response to McDoth's pronouncement: “Uh…wow.” No wonder Luc doesn’t try to understand technology. “Thanks.” // The "Uh...wow." says more than describing how flummoxed he is.
9. Vary the types of dialogue from short to long to change the rhythm of sentences. If you have a long sentence, make the next one short. It's all right to use fragments in conversation. They're a natural part of the way people talk.
10. You can show authority level by the way a character talks. Luc Saint-Cyr rarely asks questions. He assumes responsibility in every situation, and I learned to watch for ways to turn his questions into statements. In a scene where he must manipulate someone into doing things his way, he turns that around and uses questions: “I know how it can ruin a budget to keep this many people on the clock, when about all they can do is mill about smartly.” He gestured to the half-dozen workers standing around talking. “I imagine you’re worried about doing all this to pick up someone who’s going to be let go in the morning and the incident splashed on every ezine.” Luc gave her a sympathetic smile. “Is there anything I can do to help?”
11. When using foreign words, the first use is italicized, but according to the Chicago Manual of Style, subsequent uses are not. Use alien or foreign words sparingly, and be sure to put them into context for the reader. One way is to provide a translation. Here's an example where Izzorah makes a declaration to Luc. “Tu therah t’hahr. Tu kahmay t’hahr. You are the warrior of my heart. You are the hero of my heart.”
12. Punctuation within dialogue follows standards, but publishers differ on house styles. Here is one way to punctuate a sentence broken by a physical reference: "Besides” -- he squeezed the man’s hands -- “I trusted you, and you didn’t let me down. I’d like to prove you can trust me.” // This can also be written: "Besides,” he squeezed the man’s hands, “I trusted you, and you didn’t let me down. I’d like to prove you can trust me.” // Go with what your publisher decides, or choose a pattern for yourself and stick with it.
13. There are times when dialogue simply isn't necessary. When that occurs, use narrative. Good dialogue is as much about timing as it is about the choice of words.

Surrender Love

Use action to show who is speaking, to differentiate between characters of the same gender conversing, and to break up short lines of dialogue. Characterization can be strengthened by proper use of dialogue, as well. Use standard punctuation, and keep in mind that too much dialogue is possible. Avoid "talking heads" by using narrative when it moves the story along at a faster pace, or a deeper exploration of the topic isn't needed.

Getting a handle on what to say, how to say it, and how to make it memorable is one of an author's most important tools.

- - -

About the Author
Kayelle Allen is an award-winning, multi-published author. Her heroes and heroines include badass immortals, warriors who purr, and agents who find...well, the unfindable. And sometimes (shh!) make them disappear again. She is known for unstoppable heroes, uncompromising love, and unforgettable passion. You can find her on the web in these places:
Homeworld http://kayelleallen.com
Facebook http://facebook.com/kayelleallen.author
Twitter http://twitter.com/kayelleallen
Blog http://kayelleallen.blogspot.com