TANTALIZING TUESDAY

A CUPID INTERVIEW

My guests today are, Brooke Munkle and Elliott Jovovich – please, have a seat on our lovely couch! – from Reno, NV. Their tale can be found in Play Fling a novel creation by Amber Scott.

Before we begin, I must remind everyone to please try and keep your responses to a PG13 atmosphere – the Moonlight Mistresses rules, not mine *eye roll*. Double entendres are acceptable and widely encouraged for events and phrases we don’t want our young readers to really know about. Oooh, it will be so much fun trying to guess what you’re really saying!

*Settling comfortably onto the sofa, draping his arm over the back and sipping his bubbly* That Miss Havana in Reaper’s Domain is one hot teacher and boy would I love to get into her…class! I might actually learn something…oh…did I say that out loud? *Clears throat* Sorry. Let’s get back to the interview.

You two make one fine pair! I did a wonderful job pairing you two up if I do say so myself! Then, I just love all of my matches!

Cupid: Please, Elliott, tell our readers how you two first met. Was it by your design, or hers?

Elliott: All my design. I bought her a stack of books she was looking at but left behind when she iced me with a cold shoulder on campus.

Brooke: I did not ice you! You completely caught me off guard. I fumbled you. Okay. So, I was a little chilly. I thought you were half me age, okay? Can you blame a girl?

Elliott: *chuckles* Swept you right off your feet eventually, though. If I remember right, didn’t you come to me?

Brooke: Hey! PG 13, remember?!

Cupid: Brooke, would you say it was love at first sight or did you find him repulsive?

Brooke: Oh, gheez. Love? No. I had no interest whatsoever in love. Or marriage. But, lust at first sight, uh, yep! Dizzy, hot, lust.

Elliott: *aside* You should have seen how difficult it was to keep her clothes on. What?! From the heat!

Cupid: This one’s for both of you. Since chaotic happenstance tends to put characters like yourselves in situations where they must work together or live together for one reason or another, tell us what chaotic happenstance “forced” the two of you to work or live together. How did you feel about this?

Brooke: I’m going to sound like a total floozy right now, but seriously, it was the chaos being near him hit me with.

Elliott: Millie was the chaotic happenstance. The woman was and is chaos embodied.

Brooke: She had good intentions.

Elliott: And almost ruined everything.

Brooke: I don’t know. Her mistakes are what made me see how much I love you. Somehow, her screw ups, forced me to chase you. Does that make sense?

Elliott: *Kisses the tips of her fingers.*

Cupid: This one is also for both of you. How long did it take you to know your true feelings for the other? At what point did you know, “this is the one”?

Brooke: Uh…late. Very late. I almost lost him late. That day at the yard sale, it hit me full force, right in my chest.

Elliott: It’s difficult to pin it to just one moment. She intrigued me before I even knew her name. I’d see her at the bookstore, and find myself watching her, wondering who on earth was lucky enough to love her every night and day.

Cupid: Elliott, what would you say was your biggest obstacle to overcome before you could settle into a relationship with Brooke?

Elliott: Besides her best friend constantly instigating problems? Not apologizing for who I am. For where I come from. My family has a shady past. Honesty can be really hard, but in the end it’s worth it.

Cupid: This is for either of you. Would you like to thank anyone – other than me, of course – for getting you two together?

Brooke: It’s hard to say, because it hurts still, but Millie. I know we wouldn’t be here if not for her.

Elliott: I’d have to say Sampson. What?! I love that cat. If he hadn’t adored me from the start, okay, okay. You’re right, babe. Millie had good intentions. I’m grateful every day she got you to face your fears of being with me.

Cupid: I know our readers have enjoyed learning about you two so far, but I’m getting a little bored, so I’m going to heat things up. Brooke, how would you end this sentence, "I wish Elliott would _____?" *leans forward to eagerly hear your response*

Brooke: Er…um…feed me chocolate?

Cupid: Riiiight. *rolls eyes* Elliott, would you prefer to give Brooke a bubble bath or a back massage? Why?

Elliott: Bubble bath, definitely. Dirty girls like to get clean.

Cupid: How many of you remember that old show, The Newlywed Game? Well, these next questions are going to help us play a similar game. Elliott, what would Brooke say is your aphrodisiac? *waggles eyebrows*

Elliott: Bare skin.

Cupid: Brooke, is he right? How would you have answered that question?

Brooke: Dead wrong. I’d say the opposite. Towels, clothes, mischief.

Elliott: Only because they are hiding the real aphrodisiac. Your delicious naked skin.

Cupid: *crosses ankles and rubs his chin* Elliott, what would Brooke say is a spot guaranteed to drive you crazy with passion? Is she correct in that assumption?

Elliott: Her tongue on my navel. And, yes. Completely.

Brooke: *fanning self* It’s my favorite spot! The way your abdominal muscles dip down, angling at your hips. Makes my mouth water right now!

Cupid: Brooke, as far as you know, what is Elliott’s idea of a perfect date?

Brooke: A night in.

Cupid: Elliott, is she correct? If not, what is your idea of a perfect date?

Elliott: A night in bed is my idea of perfect, yes.

Cupid: Elliott, your turn in the hot seat. What is Brooke’s idea of a perfect date?

Elliott: A great dinner, a long walk, holding hands, making love.

Cupid: Brooke, is he correct? If not, what is your idea of a perfect date?

Brooke: With him, yes, it is perfect just keeping it simple. He’s one of those rare men who is just so interesting to talk to, you know? Smart, funny. Even a drive through dinner feels like romance.

Cupid: The next two questions are for both of you. What's the most romantic thing your lover has ever done for you?

Brooke: I’m torn between the books he got me when we first me and I kinda blew him off or the silver box and the letter inside. Both changed my whole world.

Elliott: I don’t want to get all emotional and private here. I think it can come off as insincere. I will tell you this, though. Giving me the woman who hid under that cool façade is the greatest gift any man can hope for.

Cupid: If you could change one thing about your relationship, what would it be?

Brooke: I’d get another kitty.

Elliott: I’d make Sampson sleep on the cat bed I got him.

Cupid: Have the two of you had time to settle into any Valentine's Day traditions?

Brooke: Travel.

Elliott: Yes. Vegas last year, this year, Maui.

Cupid: Thanks to Elliott and Brooke for joining us today. We hope you’ll check out their story, Play Fling.

To learn more about (hero/heroine's) author, [insert author’s name], visit:
http://www.amazon.com/Play-Fling-Amber-Scott/dp/1451588739/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1280177247&sr=1-1
http://1placeforromance.com/index.php?searchMe=play+fling&column=name&_a=viewCat

SUPERNATURAL SUNDAY

A CUPID INTERVIEW

My guests today are, Justin and Ashley – please, have a seat on our lovely couch! – from Las Vegas. Their tale can be found in 1NS: Familiar Desires a novel creation by Olivia Starke.

Before we begin, I must remind everyone to please try and keep your responses to a PG13 atmosphere – the Moonlight Mistresses rules, not mine *eye roll*. Double entendres are acceptable and widely encouraged for events and phrases we don’t want our young readers to really know about. Oooh, it will be so much fun trying to guess what you’re really saying!

*Settling comfortably onto the sofa, draping his arm over the back and sipping his bubbly* That Miss Havana in Reaper’s Domain is one hot teacher and boy would I love to get into her…class! I might actually learn something…oh…did I say that out loud? *Clears throat* Sorry. Let’s get back to the interview.

You two make one fine pair! I did a wonderful job pairing you two up if I do say so myself! Then, I just love all of my matches!

Cupid: Please, Justin, tell our readers how you two first met. Was it by your design, or hers?

Justin: You can say it was by both our designs, it was a date by an online dating site headed by Madame Evangeline that specializes in 1 Night Stands.

Cupid: Ashley, would you say it was love at first sight or did you find him repulsive?

Ashley: Oh, he’s gorgeous, I was drooling over his pic alone, so imagine how it was to meet him face to face. Let’s say sparks flew as soon as we made it to the elevator *wink wink nudge nudge*

Cupid: This one’s for both of you. Since chaotic happenstance tends to put characters like yourselves in situations where they must work together or live together for one reason or another, tell us what chaotic happenstance “forced” the two of you to work or live together. How did you feel about this?

Justin: I wouldn’t say chaotic happen stance, more like serendipity. It seems we were always destined to be together. Madame Evangeline has a knack for set-ups.

Ashley: I have to agree with Justin, I can’t imagine how life was before him now.

Cupid: This one is also for both of you. How long did it take you to know your true feelings for the other? At what point did you know, “this is the one”?

Ashley: Well it took me longer than Justin *laughs* It took me a little longer to catch up on the soul mate thing.

Justin: Sometimes you just know the minute you see someone that they are the person you are meant to spend many lifetimes with.

Cupid: Justin, what would you say was your biggest obstacle to overcome before you could settle into a relationship with Ashley?

Justin: *laughs* Well there were certain things that Ashley had to discover about herself before we could really be together. Waiting it out was brutal.

Cupid: This is for either of you. Would you like to thank anyone – other than me, of course – for getting you two together?

Ashley: I’d have to say Madame Evangeline whose site set us up.

Justin: I’d have to say Providence and Lady Luck.

Cupid: I know our readers have enjoyed learning about you two so far, but I’m getting a little bored, so I’m going to heat things up. Ashley, how would you end this sentence, "I wish Justin would _____?" *leans forward to eagerly hear your response*

Ashley: Learn to pick up his dirty socks *laughs*

Cupid: From what I understand, the socks, as well as other clothing, are optional in your relationship. Justin, would you prefer to give Ashley a bubble bath or a back massage? Why?

Justin: That’s a no brainer, a back massage. Anything to get my hands on this delectable woman!

Cupid: How many of you remember that old show, The Newlywed Game? Well, these next questions are going to help us play a similar game. Justin, what would Ashley say is your aphrodisiac? *waggles eyebrows*

Justin: *laughs* I’m a typical guy, so pretty much anything.

Cupid: Ashley, is he right? How would you have answered that question?

Ashley: Oh, he’s right. *laughs* But he does like a striptease.

Justin: Again, typical guy here.

Cupid: *crosses ankles and rubs his chin* Justin, what would Ashley say is a spot guaranteed to drive you crazy with passion? Is she correct in that assumption?

Justin: We have to keep this reasonably clean right? Hmm, I love having my earlobes sucked.

Ashley: His earlobes, riiiight.

Cupid: Ashley, as far as you know, what is Justin’s idea of a perfect date?

Ashley: Candlelight, wine, fine dining, he’s quite the romantic.

Cupid: Justin, is she correct? If not, what is your idea of a perfect date?

Justin: I don’t know, I’ve been thinking about trying skydiving. The adrenaline rush would get the libido going I would think. *winks at Ashley*

Cupid: Justin, your turn in the hot seat. What is Ashley’s idea of a perfect date?

Justin: She loves when I cook her dinner, then do the dishes afterwards. It’s all passion from then on. *laughs*

Cupid: Ashley, is he correct? If not, what is your idea of a perfect date?

Ashley: *laughs* What can I say, cleaning up after yourself is foreplay for me.

Cupid: The next two questions are for both of you. What's the most romantic thing your lover has ever done for you?

Ashley: Helping me really realize my potential, who I really was deep down.

Justin: Accepting our relationship for what it really is, I have to say that’s true romance.

Cupid: If you could change one thing about your relationship, what would it be?


Ashley: If only I’d have met him earlier in this life.

Justin: I have to agree with Ashley. *leans over and kisses Ashley on the lips*

Cupid: Okay, you two, keep things G-rated. Have the two of you had time to settle into any Valentine's Day traditions?

Ashley: Not yet, this will be our first.

Justin: I’m thinking champagne, chocolates, and silk sheets. *winks at Ashley*

Cupid: Thanks to Justin and Ashley for joining us today. We hope you’ll check out their story, Familiar Desires.

To learn more about (Justin/Ashley) author, Olivia Starke, visit: http://www.authoroliviastarke.com/ http://romancingthepentoday.blogspot.com/

STARLIGHT SATURDAY

My apologies for not having an interview posted for you today. There has been a SNAFU between Gracen and the author. Keep checking back throughout today and hopefully we'll be able to reschedule my interview and have it posted sometime soon.

Make sure you check back tomorrow--Sunday--as we have a riveting interview with Amber Scott's scharacters!!

Love and kisses,
Cupid

PHANTASM FRIDAY

A Cupid Interview

My guests today are, Lukas MacLeod and Aria MacLeod – please, have a seat on our lovely couch! – from Harrison County, West Virginia. Their tale can be found in Blood Moon a novel creation by Ellen Keener.

Before we begin, I must remind everyone to please try and keep your responses to a PG13 atmosphere – the Moonlight Mistresses rules, not mine *eye roll*. Double entendres are acceptable and widely encouraged for events and phrases we don’t want our young readers to really know about. Oooh, it will be so much fun trying to guess what you’re really saying!

*Settling comfortably onto the sofa, draping his arm over the back and sipping his bubbly* That Miss Havana in Reaper’s Domain is one hot teacher and boy would I love to get into her…class! I might actually learn something…oh…did I say that out loud? *Clears throat* Sorry. Let’s get back to the interview.

You two make one fine pair! I did a wonderful job pairing you two up if I do say so myself! Then, I just love all of my matches!

Cupid: Please, Lukas, tell our readers how you two first met. Was it by your design, or hers?

Lukas: It was totally my design. We were at the same Council meeting and I thought she was gorgeous, so I made up some stupid reason to have to talk to her. I don’t remember anymore what that was, but I know she bought every word.

Cupid: Aria, would you say it was love at first sight or did you find him repulsive?

Aria: Love at first sight? Yes. It had to have been for me to pretend like I swallowed that cheesy line about how he didn’t meant to spill his drink on me.

Cupid: This one’s for both of you. Since chaotic happenstance tends to put characters like yourselves in situations where they must work together or live together for one reason or another, tell us what chaotic happenstance “forced” the two of you to work or live together. How did you feel about this?

Aria: Well, I guess its sort of my stupidity. I found a member of his pack getting beaten up and decided to intervene. I thought he was dead, so I didn’t know it was his pack at the time. I figured they’d just let me bring their kid to them and leave again.

Lukas: She doesn’t always have a good grip on reality. She did what she said, but she thought I would let her leave when I found out she was alive. Silly woman.

Cupid: This one is also for both of you. How long did it take you to know your true feelings for the other? At what point did you know, “this is the one”?

Aria: The first time around? Not very long. The second time around? As soon as I saw him.

Lukas: I knew when I laid eyes on her. There was no second time. The first time didn’t stop, even if I did think she was dead.

Cupid: Lukas, what would you say was your biggest obstacle to overcome before you could settle into a relationship with Aria?

Lukas: Getting through her thick head that I wasn’t going to leave her alone even if she managed to get away from me.

Cupid: This is for either of you. Would you like to thank anyone – other than me, of course – for getting you two together?

Aria: Cern, I think. He saved Lukas. And of course, my ample charms.

Lukas: *leering at Aria* Tease.

Cupid: I know our readers have enjoyed learning about you two so far, but I’m getting a little bored, so I’m going to heat things up. Aria, how would you end this sentence, "I wish Lukas would _____?" *leans forward to eagerly hear your response*

Aria: I thought you said this was PG-13!

Cupid: Unfortunately it is. *glares at the Moonlight Mistresses* Aria, I'd love for you to share your response later in private. *clears throat* Lukas, would you prefer to give Aria a bubble bath or a back massage? Why?

Lukas: Bubble bath. Then she’s wet and slick and hot and…. *eyes glaze over*

Cupid: How many of you remember that old show, The Newlywed Game? Well, these next questions are going to help us play a similar game. Lukas, what would Aria say is your aphrodisiac? *waggles eyebrows*

Lukas: Her. In water. Out of water. In a towel. Ooo, spaghetti.

Cupid: Aria, is he right? How would you have answered that question?

Aria: he sounds like naughty Dr. Seuss. I would say any bare skin I show him.

Lukas rebuttal, if there is one: Are we done yet? I think I’ve remembered a really important appointment.

Cupid: *crosses ankles and rubs his chin* Lukas, what would Aria say is a spot guaranteed to drive you crazy with passion? Is she correct in that assumption?

Lukas: I love her all the time, but I really love it when she begs.

Aria rebuttal, if there is one: I never beg. I persuade.

Cupid: Aria, as far as you know, what is Lukas’s idea of a perfect date?

Aria: *laughs* Date? Have we actually been on one of those?

Cupid: Lukas, is she correct? If not, what is your idea of a perfect date?

Lukas: Of course we’ve been on dates! We went to the waterfall. A lot. I think that’s a perfect date. We eat, we run, we swim, we’re naked…everything ends happy.

Cupid: Lukas, your turn in the hot seat. What is Aria’s idea of a perfect date?

Lukas: I thought I just explained the perfect date….

Cupid: Aria, is he correct? If not, what is your idea of a perfect date?

Aria: Those are lovely dates, but I’d really like to be taken out to a fancy dinner and THEN go to the waterfall sometime….

Cupid: The next two questions are for both of you. What's the most romantic thing your lover has ever done for you?

Aria: He’s very sexy when get goes all protective alpha on me… but using the flannel jacket I’d carried around as our Binding Cloth. Or his proposal. The SECOND time. Hard to choose.

Lukas: She said yes. And she bought this little nightie once - *stops when Aria smacks him*

Cupid: If you could change one thing about your relationship, what would it be?

Aria: I’d really love to live in a house without pack guards. Do you have any idea how embarrassing that can be in the morning?

Lukas: *grins* I like that part. And I wouldn’t change anything. She’s perfect.

Cupid: Nice, lover boy. Have the two of you had time to settle into any Valentine's Day traditions?

Aria: He always takes me somewhere away from everyone for Valentine’s Day so we can do whatever we want without anyone knowing. And there are always flowers and chocolate.

Lukas: She always buys some sort of lingerie that I love. For the two seconds it actually stays on…

Cupid: Thanks to Lukas and Aria for joining us today. We hope you’ll check out their story, Blood Moon.

To learn more about Lukas and Aria’s author, Ellen Keener, visit: http://ellenkeener.wordpress.com/

TWILIGHT THURSDAY

A CUPID INTERVIEW

My guests today are, Wyatt and Mattie – please, have a seat on our lovely couch! – from the North Carolina barrier islands. Their tale can be found in RUN TO YOU, a novel creation by Sarah Ballance.

Before we begin, I must remind everyone to please try and keep your responses to a PG13 atmosphere – the Moonlight Mistresses rules, not mine *eye roll*. Double entendres are acceptable and widely encouraged for events and phrases we don’t want our young readers to really know about. Oooh, it will be so much fun trying to guess what you’re really saying!

*Settling comfortably onto the sofa, draping his arm over the back and sipping his bubbly* That Miss Havana in Reaper’s Domain is one hot teacher and boy would I love to get into her…class! I might actually learn something…oh…did I say that out loud? *Clears throat* Sorry. Let’s get back to the interview.

You two make one fine pair! I did a wonderful job pairing you two up if I do say so myself! Then, I just love all of my matches!

Cupid: Please, Wyatt, tell our readers how you two first met. Was it by your design, or hers?

Wyatt: Hers, of course. I was working - *ahem* - and Mattie, who has never worked a day in her life, I might add, introduced herself by taking my hat and holding it ransom until I agreed to go out with her. It was blackmail.

Cupid: Mattie, would you say it was love at first sight or did you find him repulsive?

Mattie: It was love at first sight. NOW I'm finding him repulsive. I have worked a day in my life, thank you.

Wyatt: *Omph.* Ow. Don't elbow me in front of Cupid.

Cupid: This one’s for both of you. Since chaotic happenstance tends to put characters like yourselves in situations where they must work together or live together for one reason or another, tell us what chaotic happenstance “forced” the two of you to work or live together. How did you feel about this?

Mattie: Wyatt is the local sheriff, and he saved me from becoming the third victim of a killer. That kind of intensity makes you re-evaluate your life in a hurry.

Wyatt: Well, there's that and the little issue with her taking my hat. It was department issue. I had to go out with her just to get it back. She's not above manhandling me to get what she wants.

Mattie: He gets all squirmy when I manhandle him. He likes it.

Cupid: This one is also for both of you. How long did it take you to know your true feelings for the other? At what point did you know, “this is the one”?

Mattie: He's always been different. The day I met him, I saw everything I've wanted. I just wouldn’t admit how right it felt because my track record for picking men isn't the best. It wasn't until I went home that I couldn't deny what we had was real.

Wyatt: Am I supposed to think she's "the one?" Who said that?

Mattie: Notice I said *was* real. Hmph.

Cupid: Wyatt, what would you say was your biggest obstacle to overcome before you could settle into a relationship with Mattie?

Wyatt: Well, I'd have to say my biggest obstacle was her. *Omph.* Quit it!

Mattie: You quit it. My elbow is getting sore. Anyway, I'd never dated anyone like Wyatt before—

Wyatt: Yeah, she's not into us blue-collar paupers.

Mattie: Perhaps, Wyatt, I could find a more effective place to elbow you? Anyway, I came from a high-profile political family. Most of the guys I've known fit the country club stereotype of being spoiled rich kids without much of a work ethic. Wyatt is the total opposite of that.

Wyatt: See? Poor. Pauper. Not into us.

Mattie: Hey, I wasn't your type either! If you had any idea who I was you probably wouldn't have touched me with a ten foot pole. But you got *into me* - ten foot pole and all – and the rest is history.

Wyatt: Oh, gosh. Am I blushing? I think I'm blushing. It sure is hot in here for February. Anyone got a beer?

Cupid: This is for either of you. Would you like to thank anyone – other than me, of course – for getting you two together?

Mattie: My ex boyfriend Hutch dragged me down to the beach. I guess he gets some of the credit, although he's not on my list of favorite people at the moment.

Wyatt: Hey, don't forget that Drew guy. If not for that minor indiscretion of his, you probably wouldn't have stripped him of his family jewels in front of all of those cameras. Otherwise, you never would have agreed to go with Hutch.

Mattie: Minor indiscretion? There was nothing minor about it! Even think about trying anything like that yourself, Wyatt, and I'll cut that ten foot pole of yours down to size, cameras or not.

Wyatt: See? Manhandled.

Cupid: I know our readers have enjoyed learning about you two so far, but I’m getting a little bored, so I’m going to heat things up. Mattie, how would you end this sentence, "I wish Wyatt would _____?" *leans forward to eagerly hear your response*

Mattie: I'd like to get a little action on the beach.

Wyatt: It's a public beach, Mattie.

Mattie: What's your point?

Wyatt: I'm the Sheriff.

Mattie: You're a wimp. So we get caught. Who are they gonna tell?

Wyatt: Sand chafes.

Cupid: Sand does chafe, but I'm not touching that argument with a pole of any length. Wyatt, would you prefer to give Mattie a bubble bath or a back massage? Why?

Wyatt: Can't she give me a back massage? She's on it all the time - it's the least she could do.

Mattie: That's not the only thing I'm on all the time, dear. But that can change.

Cupid: How many of you remember that old show, The Dating Game? Well, these next questions are going to help us play a similar game. Wyatt, what would Mattie say is your aphrodisiac? *waggles eyebrows*

Wyatt: It must be her. Every time I lay eyes on her—

Mattie: He gets laid.

Cupid: Mattie, is he right? How would you have answered that question?

Mattie: I would have said oxygen. But I'll give him that one – I'm glad he thinks it's me and not his mere existence.

Wyatt rebuttal, if there is one: I think she just said I was right. Can we get a transcript after we're done? I need proof this moment existed.

Cupid: *crosses ankles and rubs his chin* Wyatt, what would Mattie say is a spot guaranteed to drive you crazy with passion? Is she correct in that assumption?

Wyatt: The back of my neck. She grazes her fingers over it at the most inappropriate times, and I'm stuck trying to find a clipboard to hide behind so no one can see the effect she has on me.

Mattie rebuttal, if there is one: A clipboard? You've got to give yourself more credit – I've never seen a ten foot clipboard. Besides, when is it ever inappropriate to touch someone's neck?

Cupid: Mattie, as far as you know, what is Wyatt’s idea of a perfect date?

Mattie: Oh, that's easy. Beer, music, and a pool table. But he never gets drunk – even when he's off he's not off. We learned that on our first date.

Cupid: Wyatt, is she correct? If not, what is your idea of a perfect date?

Wyatt: Yep, she's got me nailed. Although any time spent on or by the water is perfect.

Cupid: Wyatt, your turn in the hot seat. What is Mattie’s idea of a perfect date?

Wyatt: Sounds to me like it would involve action on the beach. See? I pay attention.

Cupid: Mattie, is he correct? If not, what is your idea of a perfect date?

Mattie: Did you see that? He's nudging me. I think that's cheating. Anyway, yes, I'd take that. We'll see how well he pays attention later.

Cupid: The next two questions are for both of you. What's the most romantic thing your lover has ever done for you?

Mattie: He's not exactly the romantic type, so –

Wyatt: Who has to be romantic when they've got a ten foot pole?

Mattie: Clearly. Anyway, what I was going to say is a couple of days after I moved into his bachelor pad he did some redecorating. I can't tell you how much it meant for me for him to take what he had and make it ours. It's not exactly pink or anything –

Wyatt: Nor will it ever be.

Mattie: AHEM. But his beach cottage is no longer frat house meets man cave. The comforter is just gorgeous. It's light blue and so plush. I can't believe he picked it out, and he repainted the walls in soft shades of blues and cream. It's perfect for the beach.

Wyatt: The most romantic thing she's ever done for me is NOT telling anyone I "redecorated." I bought paint. I asked the sales girl which comforter to get. I don't decorate.

Mattie: Call it what you want – it was still romantic. Idiot.

Cupid: If you could change one thing about your relationship, what would it be?

Mattie: Wyatt works too much.

Wyatt: Um, no. Wyatt works. Shall we drop the "blue collar" and just become paupers?

Cupid: Besides, how could he afford to *redecorate* without a job? Have the two of you had time to settle into any Valentine's Day traditions?

Mattie: Just one. If he wastes a bunch of money on flowers for Valentine's Day, he's dead. He's supposed to express his undying gratitude for me because he can't help himself, not because the calendar says he must.

Wyatt: Let me translate. I'm not on the hook for Valentine's Day - I'm on the hook EVERY day. *Omph.* Watch that elbow!

Cupid: Thanks to Wyatt and Mattie for joining us today. We hope you’ll check out their story, RUN TO YOU.

To learn more about Wyatt and Mattie's author, Sarah Ballance, visit: http://sarahballance.com/

Buy link e-ditions: https://www.nobleromance.com/ItemDisplay.aspx?i=214
Buy link Kindle: http://www.amazon.com/Run-to-You-ebook/dp/B004GXB0IS

Blurb:
Mattie James can't pinpoint exactly when she lost control of her life, but the moment she decided to take it back made the front page of the local paper. Desperate to dodge the fallout— and the tabloids—she jumps at the chance to spend an off-season week in a tiny resort community by the sea. Making the trip with her ex-lover is a complication she can live with; coming face to face with a dead woman is not.

The last thing Sheriff Wyatt Reed expected to find on the storm-ravaged beach was a beautiful blonde with a jealous sidekick, but one look at Mattie left him wanting more. Their first date takes an ominous turn when he gets the call that a woman was found murdered. With a killer on the loose and a troubling lack of suspects or motive, Wyatt has to put his feelings aside to focus on the case. But his vow not to become personally involved is shattered when he discovers Mattie's life is on the line, and this time the truth leaves her with a deadly choice . . . and nowhere to run.

Excerpt:
Wyatt saw it coming from a mile away. In fact, he’d seen it clear from the beach, even as he watched Mattie sway her way back to the house.

Deputies Dwight Edmunds and Travis Baker were about to piss themselves, right there in the sheriff’s office.

"I should fire you both," he growled.

"Wouldn’t leave you much time for dating, now, would it, Sheriff?" Dwight grinned widely.

"It’s not a—" Wyatt stopped and swore under his breath. How had he, of all people, ended up with a date? He’d all but sworn off dating after his former fiancée made herself an ex, and in spite of spending several months of the year with bikini-clad tourists in his line of sight, no woman had captured his attention. Not until Mattie, who’d not only captured his attention, but demanded it.

"Come on, man. Don’t leave us hanging!" Travis leaned back in his chair, laughter splayed on his face. Wyatt had to resist the urge to put his foot out and knock him backward to the floor.

Leaving them hanging sounded like one hell of an idea to him.

"Can you imbeciles handle things around here tonight?" Wyatt glared the smiles right off their faces.

"Yeah, boss." Travis dropped the chair to all fours and shot a sideways glance to Dwight. Within seconds, the two deputies were back to snickering.

Stone-faced— more out of a need to hide the slight giddiness in his gut than anything—Wyatt left his deputies to their giggling and shut himself in his office. The closed door did a sorry job of stopping the tide of laughter from barging in after him.

A string of curse words traipsed through his mind. He couldn’t blame the guys for laughing. When it came to dating, he was a dinosaur. He’d engaged in one serious relationship in his life, and that particular piece of his past—and the betrayal that ended it—just wouldn’t leave him alone. He couldn’t say he was over the sting, but he didn’t carry a torch for his ex anymore. If he did, he’d be tempted to set fire to something—or someone—with the damned thing.

Wyatt Reed did not date. He was a washed-up bachelor no one ever accused of having a good time. And now, he had plans with a woman who was on the rebound from a bad breakup and quite likely sleeping with someone else. Son of a bitch, he sure could pick ‘em.

Wyatt didn’t do flings, yet he’d set himself up good with this one. Hell, he’d forget all about hanging his deputies and hang himself if Dwight or Travis knew he sat there trying to figure out what to wear. And wondering where he could take her left him thinking all sorts of thoughts he wouldn’t admit to—none of which had to do with dinner or a movie.

Wyatt opened his door just to give himself the opportunity to slam it, hoping one of them—Dwight, Travis, or himself—would get the point. Peals of laughter from the other side made it clear he'd failed on all three counts.

Wistful Wednesday

Hello, ladies, are you wondering what I have in store for you today? Well, you are in for treat. For your reading pleasure today, please let me present Frank Edwards, author of the novel Final Mercy, who has graciously agreed to stop here on his tour with Pump Up Your Books. But be gentle with him, ladies, he still has other stops to make and we want him to survive at least through Valentine's Day. I'm not pointing any fingers toward any frisky lady in particular - you know who you are (wink). So without further ado, here's Frank:

On Getting Out a First Novel

I’ve had a fair amount of work published in literary magazines over the years, and I’ve also had the good fortune to get a couple of non-fiction books published, and a collection of stories and poems as well. But Final Mercy is the first novel to stumble out of my office into the daylight, and it marked a real milestone in my writing life.

I’d been trying to write one for ages. My first attempt was during the summer of 1978, while circumnavigating the United States in a VW bug, with a digression for the heck of it down to Chihuahua, Mexico, though the journey’s purpose was to visit potential residency programs to attend after I graduated from med school the following spring. When it was my wife’s turn to drive, I would scribble in notebooks and by the time we got back to Rochester, I’d finished something that wasn’t very long and wasn’t very good, but that whet my appetite completely, and over the next couple of decades I accumulated several more novel-length drafts that never went any farther, until I finally decided to go for the goal post with Final Mercy, come hell or high water.

Novels are a much greater challenge to write, in my experience, than non-fiction works of equal length. You must make up characters and a plot, and you must be continually mindful of things like point-of-view, pacing, dialogue, consistency of detail and the balance of scene and summary. And unlike non-fiction, where you write a proposal, nail down a publishing contract, and only then do the heavy lifting (as had been the case with my two non-fiction books) novels are usually taken to completion with absolutely no promise of publication. You must write for years on hope alone. But so what? Hope is powerful within all of us.

Final Mercy’s road has been so long and tortuous that finally lifting a copy out of the shipping box in September of 2010 was almost anticlimactic. I had thought up the initial idea about eight years ago, then spent a year generating a rough draft. I do mean rough. After that came several years of re-drafting and polishing, until I finally had a version I wasn’t embarrassed to show an agent. Then followed six to eight months of rejection letters, until finally one of the smaller independent houses I’d sent a query to many months before—Zumaya Publications—asked to see the entire manuscript.

It’s true, I could have saved myself a lot of time and trouble by going the self-publishing route, which is very easy nowadays—you just pay them and they publish you. That works for some writers, and I don’t mean to suggest it’s necessarily a bad thing at all, especially if you can get some good editing help. But I wanted the validation that only comes from having someone else believe in your novel’s value enough to take a stake in its success. Zumaya may be a small house, but it pays royalties and doesn’t ask for a subsidy. It makes its money, in other words, only by selling your book.

I was floored and delighted when Zumaya sent back an acceptance letter a few months later. But of course the story doesn’t end there. Final Mercy then spent almost two years in a prepublication queue, awaiting the final edit.

I’d have to say that the last stage—the final editing—was the most exciting leg of the entire journey. Liz Burton, the one-woman-powerhouse behind Zumaya, turned out to be a splendid editor and mentor. We did the work on-line in real time through Google Documents over a period of several weeks, she in Texas and me in New York, and I can’t tell you how much I learned about craft.

So there it is—you spend vast amounts of time creating something designed for a reader to devour in the shortest time possible. The better your work, the faster they consume it. But that’s the way it’s supposed to be, and I would do the whole thing again in a heartbeat—in fact, am doing it right now with a sequel.

Frank J. Edwards was born in Rochester New York. In 1968 he entered the US Army and served a tour in Vietnam as a helicopter pilot. He received a BA with honors in English from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill then attended medical school at the University of Rochester, graduating with an MD in 1979. In 1989 he received an MFA in writing from Warren Wilson College in Swannanoa, NC. After practicing for a decade in North Carolina, he returned to the Rochester, area in 1990 where he remains in active practice.

He has published a number of poems and short stories in literary magazines including Carolina Quarterly and The Virginia Quarterly Review, along with numerous medical articles. In 1988, Henry Holt published his first non-fiction book, Medical Malpractice: Solving the Crisis. His second non-fiction book, The M & M Files: Morbidity and Mortality Rounds in Emergency Medicine was published by Hanley & Belfus in 2002 and has become a standard text in emergency medicine.

For the past thirteen years he has taught creative writing seminars to medical students at the U of R. In 2004, the University of Rochester Press published his collection of poems and short stories, It’ll Ease the Pain.

Final Mercy is his first novel. He is married to a former emergency nurse from Canada and lives with his family on Lake Ontario near Rochester.

You can visit his website at www.frankjedwards.com.

Tantalizing Tuesday

Today, I have a special guest for you! When I heard about her story coming out, I just had to track her down! The Secret Life of Emily Dickinson a novel creation by Jerome Charyn offers an intimate glance into Emily’s life. Yes, that’s right, Emily Dickinson is here with us today and let me say that it was not easy tracking her down!

She’s been one of my most difficult people to match! Believe me, I was just as surprised as anyone when her match turned out to be her dog! *winking right eye*

Cupid: Emily! Thank you so much for joining us today! Please, have a seat on our lovely couch!

EMILY: I am trying new things every day, ever since Jerome Charyn wrote my story and led thousands of friends to find me on this thing they call Facebook. I will try to answer your queries and answer as a twenty-first century maiden. Please forgive me should I falter – this is a new endeavor.

And I forgive you, dear Cupid, that you faltered in piercing my heart with your arrow of love. Without your failure, had I instead been brided, I may not have had the time – or need – to set to paper the bolts of lightening in my brain. I once wrote a phrase in error, it is my words more than my friends that are my estate.

Cupid: Just looking at the chapter names was quite intriguing! For me, the one that stuck out the most was, “The Vampyre of Cambridgeport.” It sounded so interesting that I daresay I had to read it first! I thought it would be about some hunky man I wasn’t privy to, but alas, it wasn’t. It’s here we learn more about your eyesight problems. You said that your eye problems gave you terrible headaches? Do you still believe the problem had to do with the light reflecting off of the snow? As so many writers these days, as well as one of our own authors, suffer from migraines regularly, please shed a little light on this and tell us what you were able to blame for causing them.

EMILY: My eyes, my eyes. What a terrible joy and a terrible burden my senses were to me. I was free of them only in my imagination. And so I wrote, “To shut our eyes is travel.” When my physical eyes failed me, I was fortunate to find a doctor with modern methods to heal. In your time there are many, but we had only Dr. Henry Williams and he was in Cambridge. So travel I must – I do not travel well. The travel brought some joy, as it meant I was tended to by my favorite cousins, Fanny and Lou. The sights of the city, when I was allowed them, were wondrous. But there were so many people, I felt I may disappear.

Cupid: One phrase that stuck out from my reading of this chapter was, “Lord help Mr. William Shakespeare for the tyranny of Sue’s pencil.” What tyranny was Sue performing with her pencil? Can you give us some specifics, please?

EMILY: I am blessed with two sisters. Lavinia is sister of my flesh, but Susan is my sister of the heart. Our bond is strong, but malleable, and Susan is a force to reckon with. I called her a Volcano, though I’ve never seen one. Sister Sue could tame nature, with her gardens and her words, but nature could not tame her for long. She will explode when wronged, then Heaven help us all – even Mr Shakespeare should have hid from her wrath.

Cupid: You mentioned that you risked your eyesight writing to Sue. Why did you feel that connection so important that you’d risk your own vision for it?

EMILY: Susan lives but a hedge away, and yet we wrote each other daily at times. I shared my scribblings with her as with no one else. How can I explain why I needed to open my mind to her? Perhaps, had I married, I would have this bond with a husband - but no, these are the bonds of women. Dear Cupid, no Valentine was as sweet as our shared secrets, and no one on earth, in my lifetime, understood my poems, except Sue.

Cupid: Was Sue the only one you wrote letters to? If not, who else would you write letters to? Do we find these letters in your book?

EMILY: My author, Jerome Charyn, tells me he discovered in my letters – the chaotic bits and pieces that remain – that I was writing my own kind of “novel.” It thrills me to think I could be a novelist, like the Bröntes whom I so admire.

When my Facebook friends woke me in this new century, I learned about the spider’s web, the net of “inter,” connecting one to all. Whenever I venture out of the safety of my book, I see people speaking on phones as smart as they. But near me were none but my few friends and family members, and Carlo, who was also my brother, so letters are my conversation, my ‘texting’ and my telephone.

Some of my letters have been saved, collected or reconstructed. This was a surprise to me, because I expected Vinnie had burned them as was customary, and as I had requested of her. Our world contained no machines that keep words “on the line” forever. Personal thoughts were shared privately and not intended for others.

But in modern times, letters are so rare and precious they are often saved.

A man named Thomas H. Johnson collected my letters and took great pains to annotate them. You can purchase these, I think, with a card that magically holds your dollar bills and coins.

I was pleased to see that Harvard, where my brother Austin went to law school, is still a premier institute of higher education. It is Harvard that holds and preserves my letters for all with an interest to read.

My author, Jerome Charyn, tells me it was in my letters that he found my voice.

Cupid: I’m so curious about this kangaroo business. Why on earth do you consider yourself a kangaroo?

EMILY: Whenever I saw myself as a boxer, I became the Kangaroo, and like a Kangaroo I kicked whoever I could and boxed the ears of friend and foe with my front paws.

Cupid: Your friend Zilpah sounds like quite the vixen. Please, tell us more about her!

EMILY: Zilpah is my “ghost”, my double; she moves me in a way that none of the other characters can. Zilpah is wild, Zilpah is cunning, but her intellect harms not helps her – because she was born on the wrong side of the track, her promise cannot be fulfilled in the nineteenth century. Had she come with me into the future, she would be a famous rebel, with many followers.

Cupid: As this is the month of love, please, do tell us about the loves of your life, other than your dog, Carlo. Who were they and how/where did you meet them?

EMILY: A lady cannot kiss then tell. My “master letters” were found and saved, but who they were written for, I will not reveal. It is all there in the letters. There are mysteries in life and mysteries in a life – this is mine.

Cupid: Thank you so much for joining us Emily! It’s been fabulous talking to you!

EMILY: Ah, in my time “fabulous” was something fabled and not quite true. I always tell the truth – I tell it Slant.

Cupid: Now, I’m going to do something I said I was bored with – interview an author! How could I not? This man seems smitten with our Emily! Jerome! Thank you so much for joining us today!

JEROME: Emily is a hard act to follow.

Cupid: How old would you say you were when you first fell in love with Emily?

JEROME: I first discovered her as a bumbling boy at junior high school. I’d never read a poet before, didn’t even know what a poet was. And there was Emily, talking about the defeated, the dying, and “Pain” with a capital P. I felt both of us were on fire.

Cupid: Was it love at first read or would you say it developed over time?

JEROME: Emily Dickinson has haunted my life – her poems her persona, all the tales about her solitude. Ever since I discovered her in the seventh grade, I’ve had a crush on that spinster in white, who had such a heroic and startling inner landscape of her own.

Cupid: What first attracted you to her? Was it a simple quote of hers, or was it something more?

JEROME: She had her own strength, without the least bit of bluster. She also had her own alchemy – words came together in ways I had never seen before. Suddenly language wasn’t a utensil, and could be used without any purpose other than to wound or amaze. Where did she get such fury?

Cupid: Sorry, about the twenty questions here, but I find you and your relationship with Emily so fascinating! Many readers find themselves moved by an author’s work to buy every book they write, to meet them if possible and even to learn as much about them as possible. What prompted you to write such an intimate story about Emily?

JEROME: Don’t we all have secret lives? And isn’t that one of the novelist’s quests, to reveal the secret lives of his characters? But after reading her letters, I discovered such with, such naughtiness, and such a sense of imagination that I felt I was dealing with a Scheherazade rather that the meekest of spinsters.

Cupid: Now, about those letters from Emily. Can anyone read them, or are they currently part of someone’s private collection? Have they ever been printed in a book? If so, please give those of us not familiar with Emily the title. I ask because there are those of us who do prefer the print medium to a computer for items like this.

JEROME: I would recommend you start with Thomas Johnson’s Emily Dickinson: Selected Letters. Johnson compressed more than one thousand of her letters into this book and explaining the context in which Emily wrote them.

Cupid: How has your family dealt with your obsession with Emily? Has it always been accepted, or have there been times where it has caused problems in your own life? How have you dealt with them?

JEROME: I grew up in the wilds of South Bronx, where the library was a haven. Like so many things children keep from their parents, I did not share Emily. At home I spent much time sketching. My world expanded when I crossed the bridge into Manhattan to attend the High School of Music and Art High School, majoring in painting.

Cupid: How much research did you have to do to write this book?

JEROME: I read her poems and letters, of course. And I studied biographies like Brenda Wineapple’s White Heat: The Friendship of Emily Dickinson and Thomas Wentworth Higginson, Richard Sewall’s The Life of Emily Dickinson and Polly Longsworth’s books, including The World of Emily Dickinson, with its wealth of illustrations.

The Emily Dickinson Museum granted me a private tour through the Homestead, and allowed me to stand quietly in Emily Dickinson’s room, to look out her western window to The Evergreens of Austin and Sister Sue, and find that "Slant of light."

Cupid: Would you call this creative non-fiction, or does it fall into the realm of fiction? How hard is it to weave fact and fiction together?

JEROME: Fiction often has a greater truth than most historical texts. I think of Napoleon, and I read War and Peace to get a sense of that particular time. Novelists see history as a story. We're not burdened by "inaccuracies."

Cupid: With all research, you must have turned up lots of facts. How do you decide which facts to use, and which ones not to? Did you try to get in as much fact as possible? Can you please give us some of the facts you opted not to use while writing this book?

JEROME: I followed the line of Emily’s life wherever I could, but I also took liberties within that line. I decided to start the novel at Mount Holyoke Female Seminary, even though many scholars and critics of her work do not feel that the time she spent there — seven or eight months in 1848 and 1849 — was particularly important to her. I disagree. Even though she rarely mentioned Mount Holyoke in her later letters, and was homesick from the minute she arrived to the minute she left, I still feel that the seminary shaped her in several subterranean ways. It gave her a sense of the Devil, and allowed Emily to hurl off the straitjacket of established religion.

Cupid: I could ask you questions all day! But, I think that will have to be it for now! Thank you so much for joining us today!

JEROME: Always happy to speak with readers who love Emily Dickinson.

To learn more about her author, Jerome Charyn, visit
his website: www.JeromeCharyn.com
To join the Facebook society inspired by this novel
visit: www.facebook.com/SecretLifeOfEmilyDickinson

Mystic Monday

I fought Cupid for control over today. Of course, he was an easy win since he's "a lover, not a fighter"!

Sorry everyone, but I couldn't go the month without stating my appreciation for the Green Bay Packers for winning the Super Bowl! Today marks the beginning of Mardi Gras here in WI!!

The Lombardi trophy is brought back home, to Green Bay, WI!

We're all doing the happy dance and will continue to do the happy dance for who knows how long. There were many a Super Bowl party, and as I'm sure, many will be nursing a hangover, much as I'm expecting to do.

I'll admit, I'm not a consumer of hard liquor - craft beer, yes, hard liquor, no - but at the end of the game, I found myself breaking down and having a jello shot. It would have been fine if I would have stopped there, but I just couldn't. It was the first time I've had alcohol paired with a Packer Super Bowl win, so I found myself a little too accepting of those "apple pie" shots, lol!

It helped that my wonderful dh stayed sober and drove us both home safely. I was in no shape to drive. As it was really my first foray into the land of liquor, I managed to not get too drunk. In fact, thanks to Burger King on 13th and Rawson for staying open (when the Wendy's and McDonald's in the area were closed) and supplying me with much needed food, especially a malt which was hard to suck out of the straw. You know you're sober, or really talented, if you can drink one of those right out of the gate. Me, I had to let it sit a bit (while I ate my chicken sandwich and fries) before I was able to really draw anything through the straw.

Okay, I know I'm going to pay for it in the morning, but I really don't care because the Green Bay Packers won the Super Bowl!!!!! First time in over ten years! I would have some other images, but I honestly couldn't find some current ones. I have a feeling that no one will be posting for a bit, lol!

Here are some songs to help with the celebration:

I'd play another one, but I think this one says it all!!!

Thanks to all of our readers who've put up with my need to brag and still return! We love all of our readers!!!!

SUPERNATURAL SUNDAY

A CUPID INTERVIEW

My guests today are, Prince Edward Alcuin and Ash Kensington – please, have a seat on our lovely couch! – from Terra Illumina. Their tale can be found in Fallenwood, a novel creation by Leslie Soule.

Before we begin, I must remind everyone to please try and keep your responses to a PG13 atmosphere – the Moonlight Mistresses rules, not mine *eye roll*. Double entendres are acceptable and widely encouraged for events and phrases we don’t want our young readers to really know about. Oooh, it will be so much fun trying to guess what you’re really saying!

*Settling comfortably onto the sofa, draping his arm over the back and sipping his bubbly* That Miss Havana in Reaper’s Domain is one hot teacher and boy would I love to get into her…class! I might actually learn something…oh…did I say that out loud? *Clears throat* Sorry. Let’s get back to the interview.

You two make one fine pair! I did a wonderful job pairing you two up if I do say so myself! Then, I just love all of my matches!

Cupid: Please, Prince Edward, tell our readers how you two first met. Was it by your design, or hers?

Prince Edward: It was her design, actually. I was a prisoner once and now it is my heart that has been captured.

Cupid: Ash, would you say it was love at first sight or did you find him repulsive?

Ash: It was definitely love at first sight. I can’t explain it really. I saw him and I…knew we were meant to be together.

Cupid: This one’s for both of you. Since chaotic happenstance tends to put characters like yourselves in situations where they must work together or live together for one reason or another, tell us what chaotic happenstance “forced” the two of you to work or live together. How did you feel about this?

Ash: Well, my friends thought that if we busted him out, he would stop the war that was coming. I was part of the breakout plan. So we all stuck together, like a team.

Prince Edward: Yeah, she and her friends kidnapped me and then demanded that I save the world…

Ash: *rolls eyes*

Cupid: This one is also for both of you. How long did it take you to know your true feelings for the other? At what point did you know, “this is the one”?

Ash: I knew instantly – as soon as I saw him. But I knew he was in love with someone else…

Prince Edward: I…I had my doubts. I was in love with…an idea, really. But once I realized Ash was the one for me, I knew what had to be done.

Cupid: Prince Edward, what would you say was your biggest obstacle to overcome before you could settle into a relationship with Ash?

Prince Edward: Well, I think the biggest obstacle was me. Until I met Ash, I never really knew what I wanted.

Cupid: This is for either of you. Would you like to thank anyone – other than me, of course – for getting you two together?

Ash: Umm…Will. He created the breakout plan.

Prince Edward: Actually, it was Terces’ idea.

Cupid: I know our readers have enjoyed learning about you two so far, but I’m getting a little bored, so I’m going to heat things up. Ash, how would you end this sentence, "I wish Prince Edward would _____?" *leans forward to eagerly hear your response*

Ash: Call me his “brave warrior” again and kiss me.

Cupid: Hmm…weird, but okay. Prince Edward, would you prefer to give Ash a bubble bath or a back massage? Why?

Prince Edward: *blushes* Well, bubble baths are not really my thing, so I would have to say a back massage.

Cupid: How many of you remember that old show, The Newlywed Game? Well, these next questions are going to help us play a similar game. Prince Edward, what would Ash say is your aphrodisiac? *waggles eyebrows*

Prince Edward: I think she would say my aphrodisiac is this drink called rakeih – pronounced “raka” – it’s like a frothy, hot berry drink.

Cupid: Ash, is he right? How would you have answered that question?

Ash: *smiles* Wrong, he’s my aphrodisiac.

Prince Edward: *smirks*

Cupid: *crosses ankles and rubs his chin* Prince Edward, what would Ash say is a spot guaranteed to drive you crazy with passion? Is she correct in that assumption?

Prince Edward: Well…she knows.

Cupid: Ash, as far as you know, what is Prince Edward’s idea of a perfect date?

Ash: I think he likes things a little calmer than I do. I think he’d like it if we just had some tea and then went for a walk in the castle gardens or something.

Cupid: Prince Edward, is she correct? If not, what is your idea of a perfect date?

Prince Edward: *smirks* I’m not as mellow as she thinks. I like adventure as much as she does.

Cupid: Prince Edward, your turn in the hot seat. What is Ash’s idea of a perfect date?

Prince Edward: Well, first I think she would start with a sword duel and then we would ride horses together – but just riding would be too boring for her. We would have to be in pursuit of something or going to save someone, or it wouldn’t quite be her idea of a perfect date.

Cupid: Ash, is he correct? If not, what is your idea of a perfect date?

Ash: *blushes* Yeah, that’s…pretty accurate.

Cupid: The next two questions are for both of you. What's the most romantic thing your lover has ever done for you?

Ash: He came back for me.

Prince Edward: She saved my life and gave me hope.

Cupid: If you could change one thing about your relationship, what would it be?

Ash: I think it would help if we both communicate more. We’re both a bit shy.

Prince Edward: Well, I’m a bit shy, really. Ash – I mean, she’s ready to get out there and take on the whole universe, sword in hand.

Cupid: Ha ha. Well, have the two of you had time to settle into any Valentine's Day traditions?

Ash: Not yet. But we will though, I think.

Prince Edward: Rest assured, my love, we will create some traditions.

Cupid: Thanks to Prince Edward and Ash Kensington for joining us today. We hope you’ll check out their story, Fallenwood.

To learn more about Ash and Prince Edwards's author, Leslie Soule, visit: http://www.lesliesoule.com/

Blurb:

Fallenwood—a land where magic is the life force, dragons are sages, and wizards good and evil battle for supremacy. When 23-year-old Ash is thrust into the middle of Fallenwood’s power struggles, she is also forced to face her own inner battles. Life on Earth was hard enough on Ash, who is locked in grief for her stepfather. Now, the fate of Fallenwood rests on her shoulders. She must destroy the Great Crystal—the catalyst for all the land’s magic. As the kingdoms prepare for war, Ash must look inside to find the power to save the world, and herself.


Excerpt:

The dragon’s eyes glowed, for a flickering moment, with white light.

“Ash,” the dragon continued, “Welcome to Terra Illumina…or as it is more commonly known, Fallenwood.” Then a fierce roaring laugh erupted from the stone, as though the dragon thought the new name a joke. “A dark, difficult, dangerous path lies before you, Ash Kensington.”

Ash’s heart grew heavy. In truth, she knew that she was destined to some terrible, dark fate. For so long, her life was filled with sadness and doubt, and one horrible thing after another. What else can I hope for?

“But Ash, you must not lose hope. Our world needs you..."

PHANTASM FRIDAY

CUPID'S FAILED LOVE MATCH

(FOR NOW...)

Cupid stood in the corner of the kitchen and watched Madison and Phoenix. Life had dealt Madison an unfair hand, but Cupid aimed to alter a little bit of her luck. Phoenix Birmingham was the perfect man for her, the type of man to keep her bed warm and someone who understood her dilemma. Oh, yeah…Cupid nodded his head. He was about to do Madison and Phoenix both a favor and end their lonely nights and cold beds.

Lifting his Love Laser, he took aim and blasted them both with his special imbued magic beam. He holstered his weapon, crossed his arms over his chest and leaned against the refrigerator, watching his magic unfold…

♥♥♥♥♥

Phoenix placed a halting hand over hers, keeping her from packing up the first aid supplies and motioned to her neck. "You're bleeding, too."

Surprised, Madison touched her throat and couldn't believe it when her fingers came away smeared with blood.

"May I?" He held up the medical supplies.

She nodded and watched as he doused gauze with antiseptic. "Dr. Nix is at your service," he said with a grin, two adorable dimples charming her where words failed.

Madison rolled her eyes, leaned forward, and tipped her head to the side to give him better access. He brushed her hair off her neck, back behind her shoulder. Such a simple gesture, and yet it felt terribly personal. The air grew thick and sticky with her awareness of him, which made her uncomfortable enough to shift in her seat and cross her legs.

Madison stared into his eyes. Green, she thought, his eyes are green, gorgeous and intense, with ridiculously long eyelashes women would fantasize about. And if they didn't, they should. A flicker of compassion, concern, and something else she couldn't identify flashed in his eyes.

"Ready?" he asked.

The husky tenor of his voice forced her gaze to shift to his mouth. Nice, sexy lips. The better to kiss you with, my dear, she thought insanely, and out of character. She gave a mental shake, but couldn't shake the curiosity of how his mouth would feel on hers.

"Madison?" Humor deepened his voice, a touch of a smile tilted the edges of the lips she'd been fantasizing about and realized she still stared at them. "You ready?" he asked again, and her eyes widened in embarrassment over her foolish stupor.

She swallowed hard. "Yeah," she whispered past the lump in her throat and forced her vision to lock on the wall over his shoulder. Good God, what was wrong with her? Her pulse throbbed like crazy and she felt woozy.

Lack of blood! Must be why she reacted this way. No other explanation made sense.

Even though the antiseptic stung like hell, the gentle touch coming from such a gruff man surprised her.

"It's not bad," he said as he dabbed the blood away. "Just a nick."

Well, she could nix the blood loss theory. Tired and stressed were the only other excuses she could come up with.

"I've suffered worse." Her voice sounded off, kind of hoarse. She tried to clear her throat delicately; he must have noticed her unease, because his perceptive eyes met hers. Again, she thought she caught the edge of concern reflected in their green depths.

♥♥♥♥♥

Cupid frowned as Madison rose from the table and replaced the first aid kit back in the cabinet. Phoenix and Madison were obviously attracted to one another, that much of his magic had worked. But they should've kissed when Phoenix finished cleaning Madison's wound. He scratched his head, wondering what could've gone wrong.

Scowling, he yanked his Love Laser off his hip and checked the battery power. It flashed a full charge. He expelled a frustrated sigh, pondering their ability to resist his special magic. It wasn't often subjects on his radar could resist his RX for Love. Maybe now wasn't the right time. She was stressed over her son's problem and Phoenix…eh, Phoenix would nail her on the table if Madison would show just a smidgeon of interest.

He took a longer look at Madison as she stared out the kitchen window. She sounded tired and world-weary. In that moment, Cupid realized she was so jaded, and her heart already ripped in two, it wouldn't be easy for Madison to trust anyone with her heart again.

Cupid stepped up to her and whispered in her ear, "Listen to me baby...listen to the master of love." He wasn't ready to give up on love. Not by a long shot! And he refused to let Madison give up on love either. He needed to regroup and start fresh with new tactics…

♥♥♥♥♥

I hope you enjoyed the sneak peek into Madison and Phoenix's first flash of attraction from Gracen Miller's "coming soon" novel, Pandora's Box. Gracen and I wrangled over this excerpt, but I won the tussle. I always win. *wink* I promised Gracen I'd tell you this excerpt is unedited, so it could change prior to its release. To learn more about Madison's life before Pandora's Box begins, visit Madison's Life Lessons on the Road to Hell...but a small warning, it is not for the faint of heart.

Leave Gracen a comment today and you'll be entered for a chance to win a pair of Valentine Betty Boop socks.

Have a fabulous weekend, Darlings!

Kisses,
Cupid

TWILIGHT THURSDAY

A CUPID INTERVIEW

My guests today are, Jaron Cardew and Gwen Bjarnson– please, have a seat on our lovely couch! – from British Columbia. Their tale can be found in The Sweater Curse a novelle creation by Leanne Dyck.

Before we begin, I must remind everyone to please try and keep your responses to a PG13 atmosphere – the Moonlight Mistresses rules, not mine *eye roll*. Double entendres are acceptable and widely encouraged for events and phrases we don’t want our young readers to really know about. Oooh, it will be so much fun trying to guess what you’re really saying!

*Settling comfortably onto the sofa, draping his arm over the back and sipping his bubbly* That Miss Havana in Reaper’s Domain is one hot teacher and boy would I love to get into her…class! I might actually learn something…oh…did I say that out loud? *Clears throat* Sorry. Let’s get back to the interview.

You two make one fine pair! I did a wonderful job pairing you two up if I do say so myself! Then, I just love all of my matches!

Cupid: Please, Jaron, tell our readers how you two first met. Was it by your design, or hers?

Jaron: Our meeting was a happy coincidence. I'm a self-published author. I meet Gwen at a party where I was solisciting funds for my new book.

Cupid: Gwen, would you say it was love at first sight or did you find him repulsive?

Gwen: (laughs) Repulsive? He's gorgeous! I saw him and immediately wanted to see more of him (winks). Trouble is I wasn't alone in my desire.

Jaron: What do you mean?

Gwen: Oh, you know--

Cupid: This one’s for both of you. Since chaotic happenstance tends to put characters like yourselves in situations where they must work together or live together for one reason or another, tell us what chaotic happenstance “forced” the two of you to work or live together. How did you feel about this?

Jaron: Nothing chaotic "forced" us together. We fell in love and I will always love--

Gwen: Really? I wish I could believe that.

Cupid: It seems you two have some things to work out. I'll give you a moment. *taps his nails against the sofa while staring at the Jaron and Gwen* Well, since it appears neither of you are going to take the initiative, we'll return to the interview. This one is also for both of you. How long did it take you to know your true feelings for the other? At what point did you know, “this is the one”?

Gwen: It was the way he looked at me; how he treated me; what he said. I'm an attractive woman and use to guys treating me like a piece of meat. Most guys don't care what I think or anything about me other than how I look on their arm. Jay was different. He spoke to me like a human being, but beyond that he knew want I wanted to be--who I could be. I couldn't help loving him. That's why it hurt so much when...when (bursts into tears)

Jaron: I don't understand. What did I do? I'd never do anything to hurt you. You know I won't. I'd rather cut my arm off than to do anything to...

Cupid: Jaron, what would you say was your biggest obstacle to overcome before you could settle into a relationship with Gwen?

Gwen is still crying. Jaron, also obviously upset, tries to hug her. She pushes him away and is gone.

Jaron(collecing himself): Social status. We're from two different worlds. Gwen is a member of the upper class and I'm a struggling artist.

Cupid: Would you like to thank anyone – other than me, of course – for getting you two together?

Jaron: I'd like to thank Ronald Symthe for inviting me to perform at his party. Without that invitation, I know I would never have meet Gwen. Now, I'm sure you'll understand why I request we bring this interview to a close. Thank you for inviting me to speak with you.


Cupid: Thanks to Jaron Cardew and Gwen Bjarnson for joining us today. We hope you’ll check out their story, The Sweater Curse

To learn more about Jaron and Gwen's author, Leanne Dyck visit: http://sweatercursed.blogspot.com/ and http://www.oknitting.com/

Excerpt:

This isn't Heaven. It isn't Hell. And I'm not alive.

Picture this: a bus stop, tons of people packed into the same small space all waiting to continue their journey. Many buses stop here. Some passengers get off, others get on. Young children with sickly white complexions huddle together in the shelter. Teenagers with rope burns around their necks get off the bus.

Old men with bullet holes climb on.

Throughout this confusion, the only constant is me. I remain alone.

Why?

I don't know, but I must find the reason. I must examine my life to discover the momentary lapse. The wrong I've committed. The task I've neglected. It's my only means of escape.

Blurb:

Aspiring knitwear designer Gwen Bjarnson is stuck in Purgatory. To escape, she must re-examine her life, journey through her past and right a wrong.

But which wrong?

Young and in love, she works to establish her career, except fate has different plans. One rash act and she loses everything. Never resting, always seeking, and yearning for what she can no longer have,

Gwen faces the truth: if she remains, others are destined to die.

How will she solve the mystery before it is too late?

Web links:

Buy Link: http://www.decadentpublishing.com/product_info.php?products_id=203&osCsid=ep6jlbnir3bacfp9floeovjqt7
Blog: http://sweatercursed.blogspot.com/
Website: http://www.oknitting.com/

Wistful Wednesday

Cupid here to tell you that there are many sides to love. The romantic side, the friendly side, the nurturing side. But what's love without a little conflict? Today, I - and the lovely ladies of Moonlight, Lace and Mayhem - would like to invite our guest, Toni V. Sweeney, to share with you a little bit of romantic conflict. Without further ado, here's Toni:

In previous blogs about my new novel Wizard’s Wife, I’ve talked about the hero, I’ve commented on the heroine, I’ve elaborated on the other male fae in the story, and dwelled lovingly on the villain.  Today, let’s concentrate on the villainess of the piece.

Siobhan Dubhtina…

Beautiful…possessor of minor magic when compared to her brother Exeter, but as deadly in her own way and determined to achieve her goals.  Since Siobhan’s objectives are also those of her very ambitious and equally ruthless sibling, and involve his opposite number—wizard Tavis McMuir—there’s a deadly seduction and magical sex involved, also.

As the daughter of a Tiarda d’Doit Tina (wizard of black fire) and a solitary fae, both Siobhan and Exeter inherited two things from their parents—extreme comeliness and a double dose of Bad.  Wizards of Black Fire possess the same knowledge as their White Fire counterparts, but they also have access to arcane black magic.  Unlike the White Wizards, they see nothing wrong in employing black magic, so they ignore the law forbidding use of the black arts.  (Older White Wizards are also privy to this info but only so they can recognize and counteract a maleficent spell.)

Though Siobhan and Exeter aren’t twins, they resemble each other greatly… tall,  pale, black waist-length hair…eyes so dark they appear black, with the pupils dark crimson, and oblique…like a cat’s….oh, and she has wings, too—like a dragonfly’s but iron gray and blood-red.

When their father dies, Exeter has a Plan—during the Harmonic Convergence, he’s going to access one of the magic portals to Earth, invade and take over, and entertain himself when he gets bored by using the puny mortals living there as his own personal chess men.  He expects a fight from the White Fires who’ve taken a shine to those silly mortals, and knows it’ll be a long one so he gives his sister a mission.  All Siobhan has to do is seduce the White Fire champion, have his child, and give it to her brother to raise as a deadly Black Fire wizard.  Exeter knows he’s going to need all the magical back-up he can get and a White Fire babe raised with Black Fire knowledge will be D*E*A*D*L*Y!

Siobhan’s always up for a little romp in the hay, so she sets out with enthusiasm.  She meets the still-virginal teenage wizard, Tavis McMuir, at a fae feile, and within moments, the lad is lost, so captured by her spell he proposes marriage on the spot.  What more could Siobhan want?  Tavy’s bewitched, bedazzled…but not quite randy enough to be careless.  He refuses to abandon the magical gems of faery contraception, and before she can entice him further, his father intervenes.  Having discovered Exeter’s scheme, Prince Padraig breaks his son’s betrothal, banishes Siobhan from Ais Linn Keep, and the war begins.

Having failed her brother, and learning Tavis has gone to Earth to become its Guardian—and also has the audacity to fall in love with a mortal, and not only marry the lucky lass but now they’re expecting the child which should’ve have been Siobhan’s—the Black Fire princess is out for revenge.  She’ll help Exeter in his fight with the White Fires, and Tavis McMuir will pay…for rejecting her…and giving his wife which should have been Siobhan’s…

What she does next makes up only a small portion of the story, but it’s a very important part, for it may determine who wins in the fight between Black and White Fires as the Harmonic Convergence begins.



Wizard’s Wife was released January 15 by Class Act Books. It’s a contemporary blending of unicorns, shape-shifting faery knights, a black-hearted villain and villainess, a feisty heroine, and a hero treading a shaky lie of purity.  For a look at Chapter One, go to:  http://www.classactbooks.com/The-Wizards-Wife-Trade-by-Toni-V-Sweeney_p_269.html

Tantalizing Tuesday

My guests today are, Gabriel Raines and Mattie Baker – please, have a seat on our lovely couch! – from Dallas, Texas. Their tale can be found in Against the Fire, a novel creation by Kat Martin.

Before we begin, I must remind everyone to please try and keep your responses to a PG-13 atmosphere – the Moonlight Mistresses' rules, not mine *eye roll*. Double entendres are acceptable and widely encouraged for events and phrases we don’t want our young readers to really know about. Oooh, it will be so much fun trying to guess what you’re really saying!

*Settling comfortably onto the sofa, draping his arm over the back and sipping his bubbly* That Miss Havana in Reaper’s Domain is one hot teacher and boy would I love to get into her…class! I might actually learn something…oh…did I say that out loud? *Clears throat* Sorry. Let’s get back to the interview.

You two make one fine pair! I did a wonderful job pairing you two up if I do say so myself! Then, I just love all of my matches!

Cupid: Please, Gabriel, tell our readers how you two first met. Was it by your design, or hers?

Gabriel: It was Fate’s design--a chance meeting at the police department, though seeing as Mattie is an architect, maybe she had a hand in it.

Cupid: Mattie, would you say it was love at first sight or did you find him repulsive?

Mattie: Repulsive? Ohmygod, the man is a flat-out hunk. Not the kind of guy I should have liked, him being such a macho type, but then again, sometimes things just happen.

Cupid: Too true! This one’s for both of you. Since chaotic happenstance tends to put characters like yourselves in situations where they must work together or live together for one reason or another, tell us what chaotic happenstance “forced” the two of you to work or live together. How did you feel about this?

Mattie: I had to live with Gabe. He demanded it, since he feared for my life. Seems an arsonist was trying to burn him out and he was afraid I might become one of his victims. He also demanded that if I slept there, I slept in his bed!

Gabriel: A wink and a grin. Tricked her, didn’t I?

Cupid: Ah, a man after my own heart! Nice one! *they exchange high-fives* This one is also for both of you. How long did it take you to know your true feelings for the other? At what point did you know, “this is the one”?

Mattie: I tried to fool myself for a long time. I just didn’t trust my feelings--or any man I had ever met. So it took me a while. Maybe it was the time I realized Gabe’s life was in deadly danger.

Gabriel: I was beginning to get the idea when we took off for a weekend at my little Hill Country ranch. But Mattie was tough to convince.

Cupid: Gabriel, what would you say was your biggest obstacle to overcome before you could settle into a relationship with Mattie?

Gabriel: Convincing myself it was time to settle down.

Cupid: This is for either of you. Would you like to thank anyone – other than me, of course – for getting you two together?

Mattie: Well, Angel, I suppose. He is such a sweet young boy and he worshiped Gabe.

Gabriel: My brothers--pain in the...that they are. They knew before I did that Mattie was the one for me.

Cupid: *uses a right pinky to wipe a tear from his right eye* Such touching devotion! I know our readers have enjoyed learning about you two so far, but I’m getting a little bored, so I’m going to heat things up. Mattie, how would you end this sentence, "I wish Gabriel would just____." *leans forward to eagerly hear your response*

Mattie: Take me to bed...Oh, that sounds just about right.

Cupid: You're no shrinking violet! Gabriel, would you prefer to give Mattie a bubble bath or a back massage? Why?

Gabriel: Oh, I’m all for a bubble bath...those nice slick bubbles and I get to rub them all over her lovely little body.

Cupid: Good choice! I wholly agree! How many of you remember that old show, The Newlywed Game? Well, these next questions are going to help us play a similar game. Gabriel, what would Mattie say is your aphrodisiac? *waggles eyebrows*

Gabriel: I know Mattie’s secret. She needs a real man. I’m man enough to give her exactly what she needs.

Cupid: Mattie, is he right? How would you have answered that question?

Mattie: (fanning herself). There is no way I can argue with that...(sigh...)

Gabriel: I believe in show don’t tell.

Cupid: *crosses ankles and rubs his chin* Gabriel, what would Mattie say is a spot guaranteed to drive you crazy with passion? Is she correct in that assumption?

Gabriel: All she has to do is get up on stage and wiggle that pretty little...of hers.

Mattie: Why should I contradict him?

Cupid: Mattie, as far as you know, what is Gabriel’s idea of a perfect date?

Mattie: Gabe’s a man’s man. Probably a pizza, a beer, a football game and a long night of hot, steamy--

Cupid:*clears throat, coughing, "PG-13 rule!"* Gabriel, is she correct? If not, what is your idea of a perfect date?

Gabriel: I like to think I’m a little more sophisticated than that--at least some of the time. The last part is just fine.

Cupid:Can't argue with that! Gabriel, your turn in the hot seat. What is Mattie’s idea of a perfect date?

Gabriel: She’d like to go to an art opening, maybe supper at a fancy restaurant, then a long night of hot, steamy...you know. (Grin) So you see we aren’t all that far apart.

Cupid: Mattie, is he correct? If not, what is your idea of a perfect date?

Mattie: I’m flexible. I can go fancy or not. The last part of the date is always the best part.

Cupid:So true, even if you're getting spanked!*smirking* The next two questions are for both of you. What's the most romantic thing your lover has ever done for you?

Mattie: Gabe sang a song just for me, knowing he has the worst voice on the planet. It was really sweet.

Gabriel: I’m not about to tell you the things, my lady has done to please me. Let’s just say it was hot, and that’s my idea of romantic.

Cupid: If you could change one thing about your relationship, what would it be?

Mattie: We haven’t been together long enough for me to find that out. At the moment, I’m still in the Gabe’s Perfect stage.

Gabriel: She could be a little less independent, I suppose. Though I’m kinda getting used to it.

Cupid:Oh L'amour! Have the two of you had time to settle into any Valentine's Day traditions?

Mattie: I better get roses and candy and a great night in bed.

Gabriel: I expect two things. I want to see my lady in a pair of red thong panties, And I want a great night of--

Cupid:*coughing, "PG-13 Rule"* Thanks to Gabriel and Mattie for joining us today. We hope you’ll check out their story, Against the Fire.

To learn more about their author, Kat Martin or to read an excerpt, visit: www.katmartin.com.