PHANTASM FRIDAY APOLOGY

I hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas (or Happy Holidays, whichever you prefer) and a Happy New Year! Ours was busy, but good. I am glad they're behind us now and we can get back to a normal routine. Of course, come this time next week, I'll be wishing we had the relative slowness of the holidays back. lol

My apologies for not posting a blog on Friday. We've been out of town and I got so wrapped up washing clothes and other chores to get the family to return to work and school next week that my blog post slipped my mind.

I was going to post a review of a book I read over the holidays, but I'll post it next Friday. The book is Blood Talisman by Erika Gilbert. So, if you've read it, I'd love for you to share your thoughts next week!

Twilight Thursday

No matter where you are or how you celebrate it,

have fun ringing in the new year!

While many of you will be
cracking open champagne,

sparkling cider, or sparkling grape juice,

I will be sharing some tasty Unibroue Quelque Chose

and some other tasty craft beer at home with my husband. 

Now matter who you're with, where you are or what you drink tonight,

Please be safe and think before you leave - Take a bus, a cab or have a
designated driver who stays sober.

Remember, it's not just you on the road,
but someone else's parent, child or sibling too.

Thank you, have fun and be safe!!!

I've told you my plans, so what are yours???

Resolutions

It's that time of year again! The time of year when we make impossible to keep promises to ourselves with the happily optimistic belief that we are actually going to follow through with them. You guessed it. New Year's Resolutions!

Why do we do this to ourselves? Why do we reach for the impossible when the possible is just around the corner? Why do we make it so hard for ourselves and then rail at ourselves when we can't keep the promises made?

These are but some of the questions I have contemplated over the years in regards to resolutions and I have never found satisfactory answers. So I came up with a solution instead. I stopped making resolutions. Or you could say that my New Year's resolution is not to make a resolution. And let me tell you, it is the best one I have ever made. Why? Because it is the easiest one to keep. When you set out not to make an impossible promise to yourself, it takes no effort to complete. Each year is a success. What better way to start a new year than with something that is so easily achieved?

What about you? How do you feel about New Year's resolutions? And what promises will you make to yourself this year?

Go easy on yourselves this year. Let's start out the new decade on a positive, easy note!

Happy New Year!!

TANTALIZING TUESDAY COCKED AND FULLY LOADED

Cocked & Fully Loaded is a transgender ménage anthology, which was recently released by Noble Romance Publishing.

Buy link: https://www.nobleromance.com/ItemDisplay.aspx?i=81

Please welcome each author as they each discuss their journey with this anthology…

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From GR Bretz:

This anthology started as a brainstorming session in the NRP Authors group. Originally there were seven or eight authors who were planning on contributing. By the time the book made it to press (so to speak) the field had narrowed to the three whose names are featured on the wanted poster on the cover.

My story, Gunmetal Blue was inspired by a Jerry Jeff Walker song, Desperados Waiting on the Train. I liked the images that the song brought to mind and it was very appropriate for a western anthology.

G.R. Bretz’s blog: http://delightfullydisturbing.wordpress.com/

Buy Link: http://www.nobleromance.com/BrowseListing.aspx?author=54

~~~~~

From Rie McGaha:

When I received an email about this anthology from Bryl, I thought it would be a lot of fun since I’ve never contributed to an anthology before. I’ve always loved cowboys and this offered the chance to work with some authors I know and admire. However, writing for an anthology wasn’t as easy as I thought it’d be. First, there was a word count limit and I’ve never had to watch my words before, so to speak. Secondly, there was a specific theme, and I’m not much on themes since I usually let my muse wander hither and yon! I was actually stumped with the deadline drawing near and I thought I might have to withdraw.

I had written several beginnings to stories for this anthology, but they just didn’t seem to go in the right direction. Then I remembered something from many years ago that actually happened and it seemed to fit the guidelines for the anthology. I began writing Outlaw and the story flowed so well, I finished the first draft in just a few hours. After the story went through edits with the publisher, I read it all the way through and I almost cried because it brought to mind a very nice time in my life that didn’t last long enough, and it brought “his” face to mind and I haven’t seen him in many years. Heavy sigh!

I hope you enjoy this anthology as much as the three of us did writing it. Happy Holidays.

Rie McGaha…fantasy that keeps you up www.riemcgaha.com
Buy Link: http://www.nobleromance.com/BrowseListing.aspx?author=8

~~~~~

From Bryl R. Tyne:

Always wanted to try writing a Western. A couple of my readers have encouraged it, saying they think I'd be good at it. Well, in our authors group, we were tinkerin' around with titles and COCKED & FULLY LOADED was presented. I think it was suggested for one individual's title, but then a Western anthology by the name. The idea took off! How'd I come up with the title to my story, Tengo una Pistola? Considering the first cowboy that popped into my head was Festus Haggen (Ken Curtis) from the legendary TV series, Gunsmoke--the second, Marshal Matt Dillon (James Arness)...and Kitty Russell (Amanda Blake) made three, well I just couldn't see writing a Het sex scene, but on the other hand, neither could I rightly break up the threesome inside my head. So, my female character admits in the story,"Tengo una Pistola!" (That's "I have a pistol!" in Spanish, if you're wonderin'.) Guess, the rest is history.

Considering this is a far cry from my last release, which is my Sci-Fi - Coin Operated Boy, I'm anxious to hear from my readers on my first Western.

Buy Links: https://www.nobleromance.com/BrowseListing.aspx?author=59
Bryl R. Tyne's Web site: http://bryltyne.com/

~~~~~

Blurbs for Cocked and Fully Loaded

Gunmetal Blue by G. R. Bretz:

Meet Blue—an ex-Confederate cavalry officer living off his wits and his guns in Reconstruction era Texas—and Sally—a young woman stuck in a loveless marriage to a man who only married her for her family name. When Sally's stage is attacked by robbers, Blue comes to her rescue. Together, they make their way across the Lone Star state. But when they reach a crossroads, the direction they choose will change the course of their lives forever.

Outlaw by Rie McGaha:

Colt has a bullet in his thigh and his face on a wanted poster, but when he rode into the mountains to lay low for a while, he never expected to see a lone woman swimming naked in the river. Hidden in the tree line, he watches her and as desire grows, he takes matters into his own hands, but even that doesn't assuage his need to touch her.

Cynthia hasn't seen her husband in several months since he left her alone to go into town for supplies, but the man she wakes up to find lying on top of her with his hand over her mouth isn't the man she married. He demands she feed him and suggests if she doesn't, he won't have a problem taking what he really wants whether she consents or not.

As Colt watches her make biscuits and gravy, he finds he isn't just enticed by her body, something about her appeals to him on a deeper level and as the two come to know one another, it's apparent the attraction isn't one-sided.

Tengo Una Pistola by Bryl R. Tyne:

After ten days in the saddle, Chuck just wants a hot meal and hotter bath water. He knows exactly where to find both too -- at home, with his lover, Mitch. But what Chuck finds instead is that Mitch has taken in Carmen, one of the town whores . . . and not only is she sharing Mitch's bed, she's using Chuck's tub. The situation irks Chuck to no end, but not as badly as the images of those wet and soapy feminine thighs that are stuck in his craw and driving him crazy. What the hell is going on? As far as Chuck's concerned, somebody had better start talking and talking soon!

Buy link: https://www.nobleromance.com/ItemDisplay.aspx?i=81

Mystic Monday

Cabin Fever

Ever since I decided to play disc golf out of a desire to become less sedentary in hopes of losing weight and reducing the feelings of restlessness, I have more and more periods where I feel less like sitting in front of the TV and being outside and being active.  Joining Andrew Bogut's Squad 6 hasn't helped the situation either.  I have been going to games every Wednesday and Saturday for the last month.  It's been grueling for my voice, but a very fun experience I wouldn't change for the world.  It's kept me active for about an hour each of those days, and now I find that I need that exercise to feel relaxed.  I also find that I can't sleep unless I have had some exercise.  This need for activity also reduces my desire to read anything, so I haven't been reading much.  I thought it was just because my mind wanted a break, but that's not the real problem.   

The real problem behind my lack of desire to read has been increased cabin fever and restlessness.  Last night, I had zero desire to sit in front of the TV and even less of a desire to sit in front of a book.  Now that it's getting cold (temps in the 20s) and snowy (layer of ice under the snow), disc golfing won't be easy, but I found I had to disc golf.  I thought about a walk, but that just wasn't enough.  I wanted to feel the disc in my hand and throw it.  I didn't even care how well I did, I just needed to get out and play.  It was cold, but I had enough layers and some really good thermal underwear, so I wasn't cold.  There was an eye-shaped moon in the sky and the snow reflected the light enough to help us see the baskets so we could play a full round.  We finished at 6:30pm.  It took us an hour to play a round.   



I finally realized, I needed to exercise my muscles, that's what it was all about.  So it's more important now for me to clean up my weight bench and get it set up so I can use it on those days when it's too cold, too wet or too icy to play disc golf, especially if walking won't be enough.    

I'm hoping that this type of energy expenditures will bring back my desire to read because I have so many books I want to read before the end of the year!  


What about you?  Are you hit with cabin fever yet?  What do you do to relieve the restlessness? 

Supernatural Sunday with Reese Johnson

Please help me welcome author, Reese Johnson! Reese is the author of Soul Searchers, Sex & Chocolate, and his newest release, GRRR, all released by Noble Romance Publishing! His tagline on his website is “Chocolate never tasted so good”. Yum! Sheesh! That tagline elicits multiple provocative thoughts for me! :D

~~~~~

GRACEN: Do you have a movie that you must watch every Christmas? What's your favorite Christmas movie? Do you have a favorite Christmas character or character type?

REESE: We like to watch It’s A Wonderful Life, the b&w version only.



GRACEN: Do you have any Christmas traditions like decorating your house, having house parties, making cookies etc.?

REESE: We live in the mountains and have a very simple life, where the decorations are simple and old fashioned. We hunt, we fish, we ride 4-wheelers, grow our own food…and everyone in the family has at least one weapon, usually more, so it was only natural that my niece would give our angels their own weapons! (See Christmas tree pic) Mostly, my tradition involves watching others decorate while I eat all the goodies!



GRACEN: If you do make Christmas Cookies, what kinds will you be making this year? What was your all-time most favorite Christmas Cookie that you ever made? Why? Care to share the recipe?

REESE: I love oatmeal chocolate chip cookies and I get a batch every year, but believe me, you wouldn’t want a recipe from me unless you want to know how to make eggnog!



GRACEN: Do you send out greeting cards to your friends and family? Why or why not? What greeting do you like to see on the greeting cards you send? On the ones you receive? (For example, “Merry Christmas”, “Season’s Greetings”, etc.)

REESE: I don’t send out Christmas cards, I’m not much on keeping up with people that way. I have a phone if I want to tell someone something. I think everyone makes a big deal out of whether to say Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays or Season’s Greetings. I think everyone should be free to say whatever they want, according to their own beliefs. This whole country has gotten so caught up in being politically correct, all anyone does is complain about someone else. Say what you gotta say and be done with it, if someone else gets offended, that’s on them not you. I think it’s the spirit of the season that counts.



GRACEN: If you could be any Christmas Character, who would it be and why?

REESE: Santa-my lady’s favorite character. My beard’s all ready white and by Christmas, my belly’s pretty round too!



GRACEN: Other than money (because who doesn’t want more of that), what would your ultimate gift be?

REESE: I’m pretty content with my life and really don’t want for anything. But I guess I would want to be able to give my loved ones their ultimate gift.

~~~~~

Reese’s Christmas Tree

Thanks so much for sharing it with us, Reese. It’s lovely!

~~~~~

GRACEN: Now, let’s get to your writing. Why the paranormal romance genre? What was the draw for you?

REESE: I really don’t know. I tend to lean more toward sci-fi when I read for pleasure, but I let my writing kind of go wherever it wants to.



GRACEN: If you could describe your writing with a word or phrase, what would it be? Please delve into the core of your writing to tell us what word or phrase you want readers to take with them when they've finished reading your story.

REESE: My tagline is chocolate never tasted so good…I think that line intrigues readers and makes them want to find out what I’m talking about. When they see I’m a black man who writes erotic romance, it becomes a double entendre.



GRACEN: With the current movement to encourage people to give books as gifts, what, in your opinion, makes your story unique? What makes it stand out among all the others?

REESE: I write for fun in every sense of the word. Although sometimes my stories come out with a deeper meaning, I think people like to read for the fun of it, especially when it comes to erotica. The whole point is to titillate and tease, so hopefully, I accomplish that.



GRACEN: Do you prefer throwing snowballs or serving hot cocoa? Does that show through in your writing? If so, how?

REESE: I’m a snowball thrower, but I want my cocoa too! So yeah, I guess that would show through in my writing. I like characters who are strong, sure, go after what they want and don’t care what they have to do to get it. That’s my wild side, but conversely, while the characters might be aggressive, after they get what they want, they are loyal, caring and fiercely protective.



GRACEN: Who decides what your characters do, you or your muse? What kind of influence do you have over your story, or is the muse always the one stuffing the stocking?

REESE: Sometimes I’m the windshield and sometimes I’m the bug! LOL So it goes with my muse. Sometimes I’m the fingers on the keyboard and sometimes I’m actually directing the entire scene too. As for stuffing the stocking, ahem, that takes my mind to a completely different place!



GRACEN: Which of your characters would you never want to meet under any circumstance and why?

REESE: I don’t think there’s any I wouldn’t want to meet. Not that they’re all good guys, but none are more than I could handle.



Where Reese can be found on the web:

Website http://reesejohnson.webs.com/
(there’s a links page on my website)





BLURB:

Do you like it rough? Rico and Katia are drawn to one another and share a night of passion, then go their separate ways but can’t stop thinking about each other. After a string of one nighters, they meet again, and this time the fur is gonna fly!

Excerpt:

As the music played, Rico danced with the grace of a panther and tossed his partner about as if she weighed nothing. When the music ended, the crowd applauded and the redhead clung to Rico as if she was his Siamese twin.

“Thank you for the pleasure of your company,” he said smoothly as he returned to his seat.

“No, thank you. That was amazing! You’re the best dancer I’ve ever met,” she said, gushing over him.

“May I buy you a drink?”

“Cosmopolitan.” She actually batted her lashes.

“Of course,” he said with an amused smile and waved a waitress over.

“I’m Kim,” the redhead said.

“Rico,” he replied.

“It’s great meeting you. I’m a student over at Howard,” Kim continued talking. “Junior year and I still don’t have a major, can you believe it? But my dad’s been raggin’ me to do something or he’s gonna cut me off, can you believe it? I can’t. What a pain he is sometimes. If it wasn’t for my mom, he’d probably not even pay my rent or electricity or food or anything, can you believe it? I just don’t . . . .”

Yeah, he could believe it. Kim's Daddy was becoming easier to understand with each word from his little girl’s mouth. “Well, you know how parents can be,” he said just to get her to stop talking. She was beautiful and built like a sailor’s dream, unfortunately, someone had taught her how to talk, and not about anything important. He could deal with a lot of things, but stupidity wasn’t one of them.

~~~~~

Website http://reesejohnson.webs.com/
(there’s a links page on my website)