PHANTASM FRIDAY

Last months interviews were so fun, they decided to let me come back in March! Call me Aine this time around…

Before we begin, I must remind everyone of the Moonlight Mistresses boring rule to please try and keep your responses to a PG13 atmosphere – *eye roll*. However, they haven’t seemed to care about double entendres, so let them fly!

My guests today are, Stephen Collins and Allison Hamstead – please, have a seat on our lovely couch! – from Biloxi, Mississippi. Their tale can be found in One Good Man, a novel creation by Rie McGaha.

*Settling comfortably onto the sofa*

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!

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

Stephen: Neither, actually. We met when Allison came to work at the casino as my brother, Jason's assistant.

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

Allison: *chokes* Absolutely not love at first sight, or second sight, or third…well, you get the picture.

Aine: 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 both feel about this?

Allison: As Stephen said, I came to work for his brother Jason at The Golden Lady, a floating casino owned by their father. Stephen did everything he could to aggravate and irritate me to the point that I began to plot his demise.

Stephen: *raises brow* I wasn’t trying to aggravate or irritate her. She was simply beautiful inside and out. Unfortunately, she had my number from day one and none of my lines worked on her. I had to wing it after that.

Aine: Stephen, would you say that your relationship developed easily or would you say there was some reluctance?

Stephen: laughs out loud Reluctance? That doesn't even come close to how she made me grovel, crawl, beg…

Aine: How long did it take you to know your true feelings for the other? At what point did you know, “this is the one”?

Allison: *grins wickedly* I'm still not sure.

Stephen: I knew the night we ate pizza together and I undressed her on my bed…

Aine: Stephen, what would you say was your biggest obstacle to overcome before you could settle into a relationship with Allison?

Stephen: Allison was the biggest obstacle. She made me work for every minute I got to spend with her.

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

Allison: I think I'd have to say it was our parents. When my mother and his father fell in love it through me for a loop. But after the kidnapping, the trip to Tahiti and of course, my mother getting pregnant, there was no way to get around it anymore. I had to face the fact that Stephen loved me and it was only me who thought being a plus size woman was a problem.

Stephen: I have to thank the redhead wearing the rectal floss, as you called it (looking at Allison). If it wasn't for her hitting on me I would've never seen how jealous Allison really was and that told me she really did love me, in spite of her denials.

Aine: 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. Allison, how would you end this sentence, "I wish Stephen would _____?" *leans forward to eagerly hear your response*

Allison: Take me out on the boat and remember the day we spent when he caught me in the galley with the strawberries and whipped cream!

Aine: Stephen, would you prefer to give Allison a bubble bath or a back massage? Why?

Stephen: *winks at Allison* I prefer giving her a massage while she's taking a bubble bath. She has the sexiest legs, and the biggest br—well, she's the sexiest woman I've ever known.

Aine: How many of you remember that old show, The Newlywed Game? Well, these next questions are going to help us play a similar game. Let’s see how well you two know each other. Stephen, what would Allison say is your aphrodisiac? *waggles eyebrows*

Stephen: She is the only aphrodisiac I need.

Aine: Allison, did he correctly guess your answer? How would you have answered that question?

Allison: *laughs* I would've said "being awake"

Stephen: *Shrugs* That too.

Aine: *sits back in his chair* Stephen, what would Allison say is a spot guaranteed to drive you crazy with passion? Is she correct in that assumption?

Stephen: In the jacuzzi

Allison: *cracks up* I think she means a spot on your body or on mine

Aine: *readjusts his position in the chair* It’s time to cool things off just a tad. Allison, as far as you know, what is Stephen’s idea of a perfect date?

Allison: *blushes* He likes for me to dress up in really sexy clothes and let him pick me up in a bar, then we go to a hotel where he's already had fresh fruit and champagne waiting for us. He strips me down to my garter belt and stilettos, then dips the fruit in champagne and traces it over my body, licking up the juices as he goes.

Aine: Stephen, is she correct? If not, what is your idea of a perfect date?

Stephen: *adjusts himself and clears throat* Huh? What was the question?

Aine: Stephen, your turn in the hot seat. What is Allison’s idea of a perfect date?

Stephen: The same, except when I'm done with the fruit, she likes to drizzle chocolate all over me, then lick it off

Aine: Allison, is he correct? If not, what is your idea of a perfect date?

Allison: *smiles and toes the cuff of Stephen's slacks* Oh yeah.

Aine: In your adventures, journeys or travels, have the two of you had the chance to have the “perfect date,” or the closest you could get to one? Where did you go and what did you do?

Stephen: The trip to Tahiti when our parents got married, and we spent the day skinny-dipping in that grotto drinking champagne…

Allison: …and eating jerk chicken and fruit, and rubbing oil all over each other.

Aine: I want to switch gears just a bit. March has close connections to Ireland, and as many of us acknowledge, Ireland is steeped in myths and mysticism, as are many Native American tribal beliefs. Stephen, Allison Do you believe in this type of mysticism? Have you had any experiences that helped you develop these beliefs?

Allison: Not personally but I know people who believe in that kind of stuff.

Stephen: My father was born in Ireland and he's full of blarney, does that count?

Aine: Allison, Stephen Do you believe in fate and destiny or are most things just a happenstance of coincidence? Why do you feel the way you do?

Allison: If you had asked me that when I lived in Chicago, I would've told you it was all happenstance. Now, after everything that has happened, I definitely believe in destiny. Stephen and I were meant to be together and everything that happened before were just steps that brought me to him.

Stephen: *nodding* I absolutely agree.

Aine: Allison, Stephen, Where do you see yourselves in 5 years?

Allison: Hopefully with two or three kids running around.

Stephen: My father has finally retired and that leaves me running the casino but with my brother and his wife, and of course, Allison helping me I see clear sailing, huge profits, and one or two kids running around.

Aine: I’m sorry folks, but that’s all the time we have for today. Thanks to Stephen and Allison for joining us today and giving us some great answers. We hope you’ll check out their story, One Good Man.

To learn more about their author, Rie McGaha visit: http://www.riemcgaha.com

Buy Link:
http://excessica.com/store/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=28&products_id=540&osCsid=8dcc3269a11b9beef7900e63e40cd59a

Blurb:

Allison Hamstead thought it was love, finally, after all the years alone, someone loved her in spite of the fact she was fat! Not that her size had ever kept her from being successful, but it had kept her far from personal relationships. She’d heard all of the fat jokes ever told, all of the things people in her office said behind her back, and she didn’t miss not having a boyfriend, or dates every weekend. Did she? But now she was in love and she couldn’t wait to introduce him to her best friend, Sarah. And what a mistake that had turned out to be! It wasn’t long before the love of her life and her best friend were living together and Allison was humiliated.

Starting over is never easy, but Allison is determined to do so and moves far from Chicago to the warm waters of Biloxi, Mississippi where she accepts a position at one of the floating casinos. For the first time in her life, Allison feels like she’s truly at home. She loves her job, she loves her boss, who is like a father to her, and she loves being a part of all the excitement going on around her. Except for one little thing…

Her boss’s eldest son, Stephen, is probably the most handsome, gorgeous, and sexy man she’s ever laid eyes on…and he knows it! And for some reason he acts interested in her. Then her mother comes to visit and winds up dating her boss. Her accounts start showing large amounts of money missing. And her ex shows up unannounced and says he wants her back. Can anything else possibly go wrong?

Absolutely!

EXCERPT:

Men were all alike. Selfish. Self-centered. Condescending. Arrogant. And they were cheaters, to boot! Allison Hamstead thought as she stormed around the room, wishing she had something to break. But everything in the room that would break, she’d bought herself, and she wasn’t about to destroy her own things. If Wesley Smothers had left any of his stuff there, she’d certainly be breaking it now, although it would be much more satisfying to break Wesley Smothers’ leg, arm or, preferably, his neck.

Six months wasted on that cheating pig. Six months of paying the rent and the electric bill. Six months of cooking for him, doing his laundry, and being his fool while he slept with her best friend! And just like that, he’d come home from work one day and told her he didn’t think this arrangement was working for him. Arrangement. He’d called her an arrangement! Oh, she’d like to show him an arrangement or two! And to think, she’d actually been considering marrying him. That was it, the final straw. She hoped a bus would hit him. No, she hoped a bus would hit him and Sarah, both. How could she have been so stupid? So naïve? Such a trusting fool?

She had worked with Sarah for two years, and they’d been good friends. Losing Sarah’s friendship was worse than loosing Wesley, since she hadn’t really loved him. Wesley paid so much attention to her, that she had acted like a foolish schoolgirl. Sending him notes with hearts dotting the "i's" and writing Mrs. Sarah Smothers on her notepad while at work – how lame could she be! Not many men looked at her twice, and especially not men who looked like Wesley. They looked at women like Sarah. Obviously! How could she have been such an idiot? How was it possible that a relatively intelligent woman could believe such a pig like Wesley?

Looking in the mirror, she made note of her assets. Even if her face was round, she wasn’t ugly. Maybe a little soft around the middle, but at least she wasn’t slinky thin like Sarah. Besides, she was on a diet—again, for the millionth time in her life, of course, but still, size sixteen wasn’tthat big for her height. She was five foot eight inches tall after all, and hadn’t worn a size six since she was six. How many women really were a size six anyway? From the women she knew, not many were really that skinny. Sure, some were model-thin, but there were a lot of women her age that were much bigger than a size six. And hadn’t rounded, curvy women been sought after at one time or another in history? How she wished she had lived then; she would’ve been a superstar.

Sighing at the reflection in the mirror, she turned sideways and looked at her body. She’d always had a weight problem. She’d weighed over ten pounds when she was born. Fate had been against her from the beginning, and she never really had a chance to be thin. Growing up with a size four mother hadn’t helped. Her mother hadn’t meant to be unkind when Allison was younger, but the fact that her mother was a size three didn’t help. Allison knew her mother hadn’t meant to be unkind, she just didn’t understand what it was like to have a weight problem. She restricted her daughter’s meals, tried to bribe her with clothing, with money, with everything she could think of, and Allison had just continued to get bigger and bigger. Not even the hypnotist, psychologist or fat farm helped.

Allison knew she was a disappointment to her mother, but the more Mom worried over Allison’s weight, the more Allison seemed to eat. High school had been sheer torture and Allison begged to be home-schooled, but her mother worked two jobs and couldn’t take on Allison’s education personally. Allison got bigger and bigger over the four years she suffered through high school. The popular girls in gym class laughed at her, and she was constantly late for science class, because she hid out until all the other girls had showered and dressed so she didn’t have to undress in front of them.

Allison wasn’t invited to the prom, and she didn’t get invited to any of the parties the other kids enjoyed. High school was a very lonely time, and her only friend had been a girl with buckteeth and glasses with the opposite problem Allison had. Gloria was so thin, her knees were knobby, and her legs and arms seemed too long for the rest of her body. So on prom night, Allison and Gloria laid on Gloria’s bed eating ice cream, cookies, candy, and an assortment of other junk food, while trying to pretend they didn’t care. But all the junk food in the world couldn’t fill the emptiness Allison felt deep inside.

Wistful Wednesday

Special Guest:

Caridad Pineiro

Please help me welcome our very special guest today, Caridad Pineiro, a New York Times best-selling author, who has a new book out entitled Aztec Gold.

I’m one of those authors who still has a day job in addition to the writing gig. Add to that being a wife and mom and people often ask me how it is that I manage to juggle all those roles.

Like most things in life, including juggling, the key is finding balance.

The first thing to do is to find out what is your most creative time so that when you are able to set aside time to write, that time is productive.

The second thing to do is to work out a rough schedule of what your day looks like. Identify must do things. For me one must do thing was sitting down every night for dinner with my family. See what things you can consolidate to do at the same time. For example, catching up on television show

s and writing are things that I do at the same time.

If after doing the schedule it appears that your every day schedule doesn’t allow much free time, ask yourself if you can get up earlier or stay up later depending on when you are most creative. I found I was a morning person and so I started getting up a lot earlier so that I could write and not interfere with either family or my day job.

Using those steps, I manage to write a couple of books a year as well as prepare proposals for books to be pitched.

That’s another important hint for you: Even when you are working on one book, give some thought to what your next project will be. Jot down some notes about the idea so you can flesh it out and have something ready to write when you are finished with the project on which you are now working.

Hope you enjoyed these tips on managing your writer’s life.

For more information, please visit the author's website at http://www.caridad.com/

Want to get a sneak peek of Aztec Gold? Check out the video below!

Tantalizing Tuesday

This month, the third installment in The Raines of Wind Canyon trilogy, Against the Law is now out in stores!

I had the opportunity to visit Wind Canyon and visit with Dev and Lark. Here's the interview. Hope you like it!

Before we begin, I must remind everyone of the Moonlight Mistresses boring rule to please try and keep your responses to a PG13 atmosphere – *eye roll*. However, they haven’t seemed to care about double entendres, so let them fly!

My guests today are, Dev Raines and Lark Delaney – please, have a seat on our lovely couch! – from Scottsdale, Arizona. Their tale can be found in Against the Law, the third in the Raines Brothers Trilogy, a novel creation by Kat Martin.

*Settling comfortably onto the sofa, *

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!

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

Dev: Maybe it was fate. Lark had a problem and she came to me for help. We met on the terrace of my house, under the warm Arizona sun.

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

Lark: Oh, my God, the man is gorgeous! I’ll never forget those abs. Hard a rock. You’ll have to use your imagination to see where I’m going with that.

Aine: Hmm…believe me, he sure looks yummy from where I sit. Is there any place on that man that is soft? 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 both feel about this?

Lark: I was desperate. I had pledged to my dying sister that I would find the little girl she gave up for adoption and make sure she was in a loving home. What seemed to be a fairly easy task turned into a major can of worms. If it hadn’t been for Dev, I don’t know what I would have done.

Dev: I took the case on a lark--pardon the pun. Actually, I owed a friend a favor and he wanted me to help her. What should have been an easy case turned out to be the adventure of a lifetime.

Aine: Adventure is always the best way to meet someone, though I think every aspect of life is an adventure! Dev, would you say that your relationship developed easily or would you say there was some reluctance?

Dev: Plenty of reluctance on my part. I wanted the woman in my bed, not my car, traipsing around the country trying to find some lost kid. And since I have a strict policy about not sleeping with clients, that posed a major problem.

Aine: How long did it take you to know your true feelings for the other? At what point did you know, “this is the one”?

Lark: I’ve worked hard to build my career as a designer. I wasn’t ready for a serious relationship so it took a while.

Dev: I’d had a seriously screwed up relationship before. I didn’t want another broken heart so it took a while for me, too.

Aine: Dev, what would you say was your biggest obstacle to overcome before you could settle into a relationship with Lark?

Dev: Getting past a previous love affair that turned out to be not a love affair at all, but I didn’t know that until I met Lark.

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

Lark: I suppose my sister’s darling little girl. I wouldn’t have met Dev if it weren’t for her.

Dev: Madman Monroe, my Ranger buddy. I owed him for saving my life. If he hadn’t pressed me for a favor I never would have met Lark.

Aine: 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. Lark, how would you end this sentence, "I wish Dev would…." *leans forward to eagerly hear your response*

Lark: Get me home so we could go to bed. I’m soooo sleepy----NOT!

Aine: I like that answer Lark! Okay, Dev, would you prefer to give Lark a bubble bath or a back massage? Why?

Dev: Definitely a bubble bath. She has the smoothest skin. I’d love to soap her up and smooth my hands over that luscious body.

Aine: How many of you remember that old show, The Newlywed Game? Well, these next questions are going to help us play a similar game. Let’s see how well you two know each other. Dev, what would Lark say is your aphrodisiac? *waggles eyebrows*

Dev: Probably my body. She loves muscles. Fortunately for me, I have a very muscular build.

Aine: Lark, did he correctly guess your answer? How would you have answered that question?

Lark: Ohmygod, yes. He has the most beautiful male body I’ve ever seen. And of course the most gorgeous blue eyes.


Aine: I can agree there! *Sits back in her chair* Dev, what would Lark say is a spot guaranteed to drive you crazy with passion? Is she correct in that assumption?

Dev: Lips. We both love kissing. Those soft plum lips drive me crazy.

Lark: Oh, yes, and I think its time we did a little kissing right now. Bye Aine!”

Aine: I’m sorry folks, but you can’t argue with that, so we have to end our interview for today. Thanks to Dev and Lark for joining us today! We hope you’ll check out their story, Against the Law.

To learn more about their author, Kat Martin, visit her website: www.katbooks.com

Mystic Monday

Slippery Willie's Stupid, Ugly Shoes

by Larry Peterson
Today, we're featuring this children's book because of the special qualities of the story. We've featured similar stories before: Frankie the Rock n' Roll Dog, a story about a special dog that rolls along on his wheeled chair, and we've featured Second Chance: How Adoption Saved a Boy with Autism and His Shelter Dog that tells a story about about the connection a dog from a rescue shelter and a boy with autism developed and how that connection brought the boy from a cloud of autism to the world around him - didn't cure him, but it helped make the connection a bit easier...

Like these two books, Slippery Willie's Stupid, Ugly Shoes tells the tale of a boy with "the slipperiest feet in the whole world" and the special shoes that were made for him. This book offers children a glance at what it would be like to be different, while at the same time, letting kids who do have problems know that they are not alone, and that they are special.

Larry Peterson was born and raised in the Bronx, New York. As a freelancer, he has written many newspaper columns for local publications. Slippery Willie's Stupid, Ugly Shoes is his first children’s book. Peterson has lived in Pinellas Park, Florida for the past 28 years.

Blurb: Willie Wiggles hates his slippery feet. He just slips, slides and spins all over the place. But what he hates even more are the special shoes that have been made for him that will help him to walk just like all the other kids. Willie thinks that they are the "stupidest, ugliest shoes in the whole world."

Discover how sometimes we worry about things about ourselves when actually there is nothing to worry about in the first place.

Watch the Trailer:


Click here to read an excerpt!

Click here to read a brief review of the book.

For more information, check out slipperywillie.blogspot.com

PHANTASM FRIDAY

My husband told me he wanted me to write some "kinky sex". I thought the vibrating diamond I wrote in Elfin Blood could be considered kind of kinky, but he doesn't think so. For an excerpt of the vibrating diamond, visit HERE. That wasn't kinky enough for him. *scratches head* Mmmkay…I told him the short erotic I just wrote, Fairy Casanova, and Decadent Publishing contracted for their 1NightStand series had a fairy using his wing like a sex toy. I got a "that's just weird look" and a very verbal "no."

I asked for examples of kinky and I received, "I don't know. But you know, kinky." Obviously I don't know because *points to references above* I thought I was already writing kinky stuff.

I asked if he wanted me to write threesomes and he made a face and shrugged. I asked if he wanted BDSM and I received a definite "No." I'm at a loss here and maybe he's afraid to speak his mind—a first for him!—and worried I'll think he's "weird" if he does. I embrace the weird label and he shy's away from it. Maybe he wants me to come up with something kinky to try on him, kind of like in the name of research. LOL

As I told him, we have friends who think "having" sex at all is kinky. Just for the record, I think they're all a tad strange because I can't imagine life without sex. Can I get a "Hell, yeah" or an "Amen"?? The same friends and many family members would think the things he and I indulge in are kinky. So, kinky can mean many different things to people.

As a reader and a writer, what do you consider kinky? What do you want to see more of and less of? I'm interested in knowing because I'm ready, willing and able to write what folks want to read.

Hope everyone has an awesome weekend!

Huggles,
Gracen

Twilight Thursday

“Emotional Freedom is a must-read for anyone who's tired
of feeling frustrated, lonely, or stopped by fear."
-Deepak Chopra


I'd like to tell you about my friend and colleague Judith Orloff MD - a UCLA psychiatrist and a pioneer who bridges mainstream medicine with intuition, energy medicine, and spirituality. She invites you on a remarkable journey where you can embrace more happiness and mastery over negativity than you may have ever known. Our world is in the midst of a meltdown. She describes how to stay intuitively and spiritually centered in our times.

Dr. Orloff celebrates the exciting paperback launch of her New York Times bestseller Emotional Freedom: Liberate Yourself from Negative Emotions and Transform Your Life. She is treating you to an incredible one-time book-launch offer with special gifts from herself and friends such as Dr. Daniel Amen, Dr. Joan Borysenko, Dr. Michael Beckwith, and more!

To purchase the book and receive your "Celebrate Joy" special gift collection go to:
 http://www.drjudithorloff.com/emotional-freedom-paperback/

In Emotional Freedom Dr. Orloff states:
“I’m presenting the unique process I use with patients and in my own life to view emotions as a path to spiritual and intuitive awakening (not EFT). I synthesize traditional medicine with energy medicine to offer you new tools to master emotions and become heroes in your own life. Inner peace leads to outer peace in the world.”

Publisher's Weekly’s review of Emotional Freedom says:
“Superbly written..Dr. Orloff regards emotions as a training ground for the soul, and views ‘every victory over fear, anxiety, and resentment as a way to develop your spiritual muscles.’”

Emotional Freedom has rave reviews from USA Today, Dr. Candace Pert, Christiane Northrup, M.D., Caroline Myss, Dean Ornish, M.D., and Mary Oliver, Pulitzer Prize-winning poet. They call it “spectacular,” “a must-read,” “a heartfelt, accessible guide,” and “resolutely compassionate.”

In the book, you will discover:
• Four questions to transform fear with courage
• What your emotional type is
• How to stop absorbing the emotions of others
• How to combat emotional vampires with compassion
• The spiritual meaning of depression and hope

Purchase book and claim your "Celebrate Joy" special gift collection at:
http://www.drjudithorloff.com/emotional-freedom-paperback/

If you'd like to liberate yourself from negative emotions and compassionately own the moment in all situations instead of just reacting when your buttons get pushed go to:

http://www.drjudithorloff.com/emotional-freedom-paperback/

Nelson Mandela said: “As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.” Help liberate others and please share this announcement with them. Your support makes us happy and grateful!

For more inspiration and to learn about the Emotional Freedom book tour schedule and sign up for our affiliate program visit DrJudithOrloff.com.


Emotional Freedom Videos

A short summary of the topic/content along with the link to the video and the embed code – which ever you prefer to use in your post.

Sneak Peek – Audio of Excerpt - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p6UkHVozeqM




Overcoming Negativity – Part 1 of 3 – Dr Orloff Interview - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rSRUmR1tBNo




Overcoming Negativity – Part 3 of 3 – Dr Orloff Interview –
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a7twyTgakRw




4 Questions to Transform Fear - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SwD43M7bSus




How to Deal with a Narcissist – Emotional Freedom in Action - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qxTddQM-d08





Dealing with a Victim - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AxNXIo5oGxc




Dealing with a Splitter Personality - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wf-Pfxi1H0A



What is Your Emotional Type - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EBY5S7PpvRY




How to Stop Absorbing Other’s Energy - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oyap0KBouP0

Wistful Wednesday

Nocturne, by Syrie James:

A Review

From the author's website: 

A Haunting Story of Forbidden Love

"Lyrical, lush, and intensely romantic." —Library Journal
Nicole Whitcomb is snowbound for days and falls in love with a fascinating, mysterious stranger—a profoundly meaningful experience that is destined to change both of their lives forever. But who is Michael Tyler and what dark secrets is he hiding?
"Each incredible revelation kept me turning pages long into the night." —A Simple Love of Reading

With praise like that, I delved into this book, eager to discover how a writer known for writing fictionalized biographies of Jane Austen and Charlotte Bronte would interpret the whole vampire trope. I must warn you that, if you're hoping to read more about vampires that sparkle or engage in life and death battles with werewolves and their own kind, then this is not the book for you. This is more of a psychological take on the vampire tale. It deals more with the life - or lives - of the vampire hero rather than any earth-shattering scenario that finds him fighting for his life and that of his love. Personally, I found that rather refreshing.

In many of the other entries in this genre, the pace is fast, the action non-stop, and the focus on the beast the hero has become - and how that affects the heroine. There's nothing wrong with that, but it's very easy to feel like you've read that story somewhere else. There's also the tendency to feel as though something is missing and for me, that something is the reminder that the hero used to be human. What I liked best about James' book was that she highlighted the fact that Michael was once human - and in a very eloquent way. I will not give it away here, but I really enjoyed how she chose to portray Michael's life before he met Nicole. Very clever. It made me want to know everything about him, just like Nicole.

I felt like the characters were real people and I think a lot of that had to do with the fact that Michael wasn't obsessed with the idea of someone trying to drive a stake through his heart (no such characters in this book) and Nicole, except for one flight of fancy once she realized what he was, wasn't obsessed with the idea that he was going to kill her or turn her into a vampire. In fact, if you took away the fact that he was a vampire, you would still have what this book essentially is: A love story between two lost souls. And as love stories go, it was a beautiful tale told in a wonderfully uncomplicated manner. I really appreciated the way the author allowed the story to unfold, the way she weaved in Michael and Nicole's backstories, and allowed them to grow as characters.

So the bottom line is: If you're looking for a fix for your vampire love and you want to read a different take on the genre, definitely pick this book up and give it a try. Hopefully, like me, you won't be disappointed. You will be swept away.

Author's website: http://www.syriejames.com/

SUPERNATURAL SUNDAY

A CUPID INTERVIEW

My guests today are, Valek Ruzik and Charlotte Ruzikova – please, have a seat on our lovely couch! – from the Southern Bohemian Occult, The Czech Republic. Their tale can be found in Of Light and Darkness a novel creation by Shayne Leighton.

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, Valek, tell our readers how you two first met. Was it by your design, or hers?

Valek Ruzik: Though it is against my normal belief system, I'd have to say it was by fate that I found Charlotte. I never believed that our relationship would grow to this magnitude. It also was a little bit by her design. If she didn't look up at me with those lovely, enormous eyes…I truly don't know if I would have made the same decision.

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

Charlotte Ruzikova: Well, being that I was very tiny the first moment I saw him, I don't remember. I actually don't remember anything about that night. Growing up, I always thought he was the most beautiful person (or monster) I've ever seen.

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?

Charlotte: I'd say it was the moment I walked in and saw Valek romantic with someone else. I had never really viewed him romantically before, and witnessing that triggered something within me that had otherwise been hidden in the very back corners of my mind. The pain brought all of that to attention.

Valek: I actually believe it was more than just that. I had been watching Charlotte's mind for years, and I saw the progression. I knew it would happen eventually, though I tried to deny those feelings within myself as well. We know this is wrong. Really, everything grew to perplexity after we were captured. We have always loved and trusted each other to great lengths, but now the situation has become something different with the threat that either one of us could be killed tomorrow...

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”?

Charlotte: I guess…I've always known. Even when I was too little to understand what love was. I know that won't ever go away. He saves my life almost on a daily basis. He's the only one that I have in the entire world. It's been that way for as long as I can remember and nothing will ever change that. 

Valek: I did not expect this at all when I initially found her. I knew I instantly loved her the minute I laid eyes on her…but I never thought she would become my soulmate. I am so happy she did. The moment I knew she was the one, was the moment I thought I was going to lose her forever.

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

Valek: That is a loaded question. There were many obstacles I needed to overcome. Some that lived within myself and some that our chaotic world kept throwing at me. I'm still struggling with the fact that I raised Charlotte….I am still struggling with the fact that her blood calls for me and the thirst remains anguishing in the back of my throat.

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

Charlotte: I think we only have to thank each other...

Valek: I agree. No one in their right mind would have put us together…this is our own decision and our own doing.

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. Charlotte, how would you end this sentence, "I wish Valek would _____?" *leans forward to eagerly hear your response*

Charlotte: *blushes deeply* I…I um… *Looks to Valek and rubs the scar at her neck - hands start shaking.*

Cupid: Well, it seems we've bitten off a little more than we can chew. Valek, would you prefer to give Charlotte a bubble bath or a back massage? Why?

Valek: I am…much better at 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. Valek, what would Charlotte say is your aphrodisiac? *waggles eyebrows*

Valek: That's an easy one…I remember one evening, Charlotte sliced her hand open on purpose….

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

Charlotte: That's definitely it. I get a little…carried away...

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

Valek: Well, I don't have a particular spot. But I love any spot of hers that has a pulse behind it...

Charlotte: *Turns red again*

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

Charlotte: Somewhere quiet. Somewhere away from all of the chaos, that's peaceful and just the two of us alone.

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

Valek: Yes, that is absolutely correct. *Takes Charlotte's hand*

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

Valek: Much the same as mine, though I'm sure she'd love the opportunity to arise that would again allow her to…get "a little carried away."

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

Charlotte: *Giggles*

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

Charlotte: Saved my life. He's done it more than once and each time reminds me of how brave he is and how important I am to him.

Valek: Given me her life. If she didn't do that, I'm not sure if I would be here this moment.

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

Charlotte: The fact that we're different. I would love to some day be the same as Valek.

Valek: I would not alter a thing.

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

Charlotte: What is…"Valentine's Day"?

Valek: We do not celebrate this trivial holiday…

Cupid: Thanks to Valek and Charlotte for joining us today. We hope you’ll check out their story,Of Light and Darkness.

To learn more about Valek and Charlotte's author, Shayne Leighton, visit: http://OfLightandDarknessSeries.com

About Of Light and Darkness:



"She heard these last words despite the rushing, like a flash flood through a hollow tunnel that was submerging her. “I love you” rang out so saliently as the rest of her dark world seemed to evanesce into hell. The hissing, the screaming, the pain. And “I love you.” She kept hearing it over and over again until she realized she was speaking the words herself. Too weak to yell it, so it came out in a whisper. “I love you.” She hoped he could hear the thing she wanted to scream to the world. “I love you.” She said for the last time before she melted into oblivion. "


When one small human stands before an army of impossible things, she realizes the possibilities of overcoming any obstacle in this coming-of-age modern fairytale.

Abandoned as an infant in Prague, Charlotte Ruzikova was raised by Valek, one of the last Vampires left alive. Genocide and war conflicts their secret society nestled deep in the woods of Eastern Europe.

But when the dictator in power becomes threatened by evil lurking in Valek's past, Charlotte must find a way to fight for the only thing she has ever truly believed in - and all before the sun comes up.

STARLIGHT SATURDAY

A CUPID INTERVIEW

My guests today are Eric and Dwayne– please, have a seat on our lovely couch! – from Canada. Their tale can be found in Permanent Ink a novel creation by Jaime Samms.

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, Eric, tell our readers how you two first met. Was it by your design, or his?

Eric *casting a sly glance at Dwayne* Neither. I think it was pretty much hate at first sight for both of us. I thought he was a thug and he thought I was about the biggest jerk North of the 49th. I was wrong. *puts his hand on Dwayne's knee* He wasn't, but I think he's mostly forgiven me.

In fact, though, we never would have met if not for his cousin, Angel, who happens to be my best friend, inviting Dwayne to come up and live with him for a few months.

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

Dwayne: What he said. In his defence, I didn't give him much reason to doubt his first impression.

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?

Dwayne: *looking uncomfortable* It's a long story.

Eric: Like I said, he came to live with Angel. The why doesn't really matter. And since Angel and I spend most of our waking, non-class time in each other's back pockets, it was inevitable I would meet him, eventually.

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”?

Eric: *swallowing hard and looking at Dwayne* When he told me his story. Which is about the same time I realized what an ass I'd been.

Dwayne: First time I saw him. Hen he opened his mouth… *grinning* But Angel convinced me to give him a chance.

Eric Really? *stunned*

Dwayne: Laughs

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

Eric: Myself. I mean, we still have a ways to go. But getting over myself was huge.

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

Eric: Angel

Dwayne: *speaking simultaneously* Angel

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. Eric, how would you end this sentence, "I wish Dwyne would _____?" *leans forward to eagerly hear your response*

Eric: *Blushes* I can't say that here!

Dwayne: *chuckles*

Cupid: Dwayne, would you prefer to give Eric a bubble bath or a back massage? Why?

Dwayne: Is there some reason I can't do both? You know there's this new bubble bath scent guaranteed to…put you in the mood… *grins at Eric's blush* God, I love when he does that!

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. Dwayne, what would Eric say is your aphrodisiac? *waggles eyebrows*

Dwayne: That pink in his cheeks right there.

Eric: *Blushes more deeply*

Dwayne: Oh yeah, Baby. Tell me that isn't the biggest turn on.

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

Eric: *Squirms* He's right. *glares at Dwayne*

Dwayne: *Snickers*

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

Dwayne: *covers the star tattoos on his inner elbow with his other hand* He has a thing for my tats. Makes me crazy when he…can I say licks? Yeah.

Eric: Admit it. You see stars when I lick your stars.

Cupid: Eric, as far as you know, what is Dwayne's idea of a perfect date?

Eric: Staying in. Eating a meal. Eating each—ah…licking.

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

Dwayne: I like watching him play ball. But yeah. A night in, cooking, hanging.

Cupid: Dwayne, your turn in the hot seat. What is Eric's idea of a perfect date?

Dwayne: He likes when I give him…cooking lessons. Those are always good times.

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

Eric: *more blushing* Yeah. Cooking.

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

Eric: You'll laugh, but the night he made me talk to my brother instead of kick him out. Doesn't sound romantic, but it meant a lot to me, after, to know he wanted us to make up. He didn't even really know me that well yet, and he made me do it. That was cool. He put me first.

Dwayne: He kissed the stars. *points to the tattoo on his arm* Because of what they mean, how they got there. And he didn't care.

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

Eric: He'd move in already.

Dwayne: *stares*

Eric: What?

Dwayne: Here? Now?

Eric: *shrugs* Say yes.

Dwayne: Ask properly.

Eric: *faces him* Dwayne, move in with me. Um. Please.

Dwayne: Um. Please?

Eric: *rolls his eyes*

Dwayne: Fine, but you so are going to pay for doing this in public.

Eric: Promise?

Dwayne: Oh, I promise, Sweetcheeks

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

Dwayne: He has. He's developed a tradition of putting me on the spot.

Eric: *shrugging and settling back in his seat, self satisfied* It worked, didn't it? Both times.

Cupid: Thanks to Eric and Dwayne for joining us today. We hope you’ll check out their story, Permanent Ink.

To learn more about Eric and Dwayne's author, Jaime Samms, visit: http://www.jaime-samms.net/

Buy Link: http://pinkpetalbooks.com/Permanent-Ink-by-Jaime-Samms.html

Blurb:

Eric has gone through life putting a lot of store in outward appearances, so when his best friend Angel's cousin, Dwayne comes along, with his tattoos and body piercings, Eric is sure there's a story behind all that armour. He's equally sure it's a story he doesn't care to hear. He's already written Dwayne off as a thug and player.

Finding out the truth behind Dwayne's tough exterior proves Eric really didn't know anything, not even his very best friend. Learning about Angel and Dwayne's past gives Eric a good look into his own truth, and he's not so sure he likes what he sees, but is it too late to change? More important, is it too late to convince Dwayne he was wrong?

Excerpt:

Lunch the next day was a greasy burger and soggy fries at the diner on the ground floor of Eric's building. He didn't cook and another bowl of cereal or piece of toast didn't appeal in the least. He was just poking at the mess when the bell over the door rang. He looked up to see Dwayne glancing around the joint. As soon as those dark eyes fixed on him, Eric felt heat curl in his belly. He let the top bun of his burger fall from where he had it pinched between his fingers and wiped his hands on his napkin.

"Hey." Dwayne sauntered over, his hips swaying, his customary grin in place, but his eyes were deep and brooding.

"Hi." Eric indicated the seat across from him. "How'd you find me?"

Dwayne tilted his head. "You not wanting to be found?"

"No. Just...wondering. Have a seat."

"Angel." Dwayne slid into the booth across from Eric. "Gave me your address. Told me you eat here sometimes. You didn't answer your door so I figured no harm in trying, right?"

Eric nodded. "Right."

Dwayne pulled the sugar shaker out of the wire basket next to the wall and proceeded to pour a pile of it onto the table. He eyed Eric's plate and asked, in a rather dubious voice; "So what's good here?"

A grimace turned up Eric's lip. "Not much. You hungry?"

"I could eat." He paused. "But maybe not that. Had enough slop in the joint to know I don't ever want it again." He pushed the sugar pile around with his baby finger. Shapes appeared, outlined in the white crystals; a square, manipulated into a circle then into a star.

Eric bit his lip. "We could go somewhere else." He watched as Dwayne carefully erased his work by pushing the sugar back into a heap and started over.

"Like to eat food I cooked myself." He picked up Eric's fork and poked at the limp fries with it. "Angel and Marianne needed some time, ya know?" Abandoning the fork like an empty flag pole in the mound of fries, he went back to shifting the sugar around the dark melamine of the table top and a heart appeared.

"I see." Eric thought fast, but he knew he had no food in his apartment, and said so. He watched the heart take form and wondered if it was in relation to Angel and Marianne or something else.

"There's a market just down the block," Dwayne suggested. He drew an arrow protruding out the side of the heart. "If you got a stove."

"Sure." Eric swallowed hard. "I do."

"Light a few candles and it could be a right proper fucking Valentine's date," Dwayne said, his voice thick with something that could have been sarcasm except for the low tone, the way his eyes didn't spark with that snarky light Eric was used to seeing there.

"Huh." Eric was finding it hard to speak. His mouth was dry, his thoughts scattered like the grains of sugar fanning out from the crooked heart Dwayne had sketched. "Is it the fourteenth already?"

Almost black eyes peered up through thick, long lashes. Dwayne shrugged. He poised his hand to sweep the sugar away but Eric stopped him. They stared at one another for a long minute.

Eric nodded once. "Okay."

PHANTASM FRIDAY

A CUPID INTERVIEW

My guests today are, George Matthew Franklin and Michaela Miles – please, have a seat on our lovely couch! – from Philadelphia, PA. Their tale can be found in What Not to Fear a novel creation by Robert C Roman.

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, George, tell our readers how you two first met. Was it by your design, or hers?

Matt: Please, call me Matthew. I’ve never particularly liked ‘George’. At any rate, we met at work. I’m a forensic investigator and Michaela is a police detective. As to which of us made the first move, that would be me, I think.

Michaela: Yeah, Frank. You caught me by surprise in the elevator. I still feel a little stupid for stopping you, but… *shrug*

Cupid: Excuse me, but… Frank?

Michaela: Well… Yeah. I mean, c’mon. Look at him. He’s a friggin’ giant. He’s two feet taller than me. I think Frankenstein fits him pretty good. Besides, you just get used to using last names in the precinct, and his last name is Franklin.

Matt: Our first date was her idea, though.

Michaela: Was not!

Matt: Michaela, you invited yourself over to dinner with my parents.

Michaela: Hey, your godmother invited me, not the other way around. ‘Sides, I didn’t hear you complaining.

Matt: Touche.

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

Michaela: I… OK, look, if you so much as crack a smile, I’m making your dentist rich, but I had some issues when we met. I’m… I’m working on those still, but… Yeah, no. It wasn’t exactly love at first sight. Something like that, but not quite love. ‘nuff said.

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?

Michaela: Oh, that’s easy. Captain Hayes decided it would be a good idea for Frank to follow me around like a puppy, sniffing for clues. Like I said, there was an attraction from the very beginning. I didn’t really know how to deal with it, but I, uh, figured it out. Yeah, that’s my story and it’s sticky.

Cupid: Don’t you mean ‘you’re sticking to it’?

Michaela: Yeah, that too. *smirks*

Matt: I wasn’t exactly forced to work with Michaela. I was assigned as her partner, and I certainly didn’t mind. She’s the most attractive woman I’ve ever met.

Michaela: Frank! How can you just say it like that?

Matt: *shrug* It’s true. Y’know, I still wonder if our… little friends *mimes a butterfly* had anything to do with Captain Hayes decision.

Cupid: Little friends?

Matt: Er, I’d really prefer not to mention them by name. They’re a pair of Pixies, and they’ve recently been elevated to positions of some power in the Unseeleigh Fae Court, and they might hear it. They moonlight as Fairy Godfathers.

Cupid: It sounds like they’re in the same line of work as I am. I’d love to talk to them!

Michaela: Ooh, yeah, no. Frank’s right, that would be bad. X doesn’t like you much, and he carries a shiv. *covers her mouth*

Matt: *winces* Yeah. Maybe we’re lucky and they’re otherwise occupied. Next question, before he shows up and gets violent?

Cupid: *looks askance at the couple* Okay, 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”?

Michaela: True feelings? Heck, I’m still not sure on… No, that would be a lie. I think I was attracted to him from the first moment I laid eyes on him, but I didn’t really admit any of it to myself until he called me back. It’s not easy to turn your back on Heaven, y’know.

Matt: *smiles* I knew I wanted her to be the one from the moment I laid eyes on her. I don’t think there was a single moment when that went from wanting to being, for me. She grows on you.

Michaela: What, I’m a fungus now? I belong sliced on your pizza?

Matt: *chuckles* Sweetheart, your Pesci impression really isn’t as good as you think it is. You’d need to be taller and a lot less cute.

Michaela: *blows a raspberry*

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

Matt: Other than the demon trying to kill us? Probably dealing with her intimacy issues. Totally worth it, though.

Michaela: You’re sweet, Frank, but you’re full of crap.

Matt: Hey! You did have issues. Still do about some things.

Michaela: I meant about me being worth it. You got complaints?

Matt: *grinning* Not a damn one!

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

Michaela: Well, there are the… You know… *whispers* Pixies.

Matt: They really did do their best to help us out. I never really got to thank Ricardo for his help… *facepalm* Oh, hell.

Ricardo: Matthew! My help, she is my gift to you both!

Michaela: *looking around panicked* Ricardo, where’s…

Ricardo: Oh, my X? I am making with the calling of him now! X! Our Matthew and Michaela, they want to give us thanks!

Cupid: Pardon, Ricardo, but… Fairy Godfathers?

X: Problem, dawg? Ricky gots to get him his Jimmy Choos, and I gots to get cheddar for that. Them things ain’t cheap.

Ricardo: *flits over to X, whispers in his ear*

X: *settles back on Matt’s shoulder* K, C-dawg, Ricky say he don’t want me hook you just now, ‘cause he want a favor from you. He triflin’ but he my shawty, so I gots to chill.

Cupid: Ah, right… Moving on. 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. Michaela, how would you end this sentence, "I wish Matt would _____?" *leans forward to eagerly hear your response*

Michaela: *blushes* Oh, I really don’t have any complaints. Matt’s the… experimental one.

X: You try that thing Ricky do with his wings yet?

Michaela: What? What thing is that?

X: Oh, yeah, you ain’t seen that. You start hoverin’, then Matt…

Cupid: Okay then! Pardon, X…

X: Dat Baron X. I a made G, dawg.

Cupid: Baron X, then. I think you missed that ‘PG-13’ warning at the start of our interview.

X: What, you got kids watching this? You whilin’ dawg. OK. Kids, don’t do drugs.

Cupid: Okay, then… Matt, would you prefer to give Michaela a bubble bath or a back massage? Why?

Matt: A bubble bath, I think. Simple reason; we’ve never tried that before. We’re both fairly practical. We’ve got a shower at our place, but no tub.

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. Matt, what would Michaela say is your aphrodisiac? *waggles eyebrows*

Matt: *grins hugely* Oh, no question. Caramel.

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

Michaela: *blushes furiously* Uh, yeah. Yeah, no. I don’t think I would have answered that way in a million years. I dunno, maybe I’d say lasagna. His parents make a mean lasagna.

Matt: But you smell of caramel, Michaela.

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

Matt: *pauses in thought* I’m pretty sure she’d say something that’s really not PG-13. She’s very direct. She’d be right, though.

Michaela: Frank! I wouldn’t say anything like that! Not in public, anyhow.

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

Michaela: *giggles* I… I’d say… *laughs uncontrollably*

Cupid: Is she okay?

Michaela: *wheezing a little* I’m fine, really. I’m fine. Intimidating the local criminal element, followed by dinner at his godparents. We can skip the play at the end, though.

Cupid: That’s…Unique. Matt, is she right? If not, what is your idea of a perfect date?

Matt: Oh, yeah. It’s unique all right. It’s also a lot of fun. I’d still go see a play or movie at the end if she wanted though.

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

Matt: Intimidating the local criminal element, followed by dinner and a movie. Or maybe skip the movie and go somewhere just as dark, but with a little privacy.

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

Michaela: Remember that sticky story? Yeah. I’m not commenting on going dark places with Matt. Especially since he doesn’t bother to turn the lights off.

Matt: Why would I? You’re pretty.

X: Yeah, Angel, Ricky and I ain’t even about girls and we think you smokin’.

Ricardo: My X, he is right as always.

Michaela: Guys! No fair ganging up on me!

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

Michaela: It’s not what most people would consider ‘romantic’, but going after a Lord of Hell with his bare hands when she’d killed me… That was really something. Calling me back was nothing to sneeze at either.

Matt: Yeah, I guess it would take a lot to explain, but… When she said “I’m sorry.”

Cupid: “I’m sorry?” That’s not terribly romantic.

Matt: Well… She was throwing herself on a bomb that was about to kill my godparents when she said it. She was apologizing that she couldn’t stay with me.

Cupid: But you’re together now?

Michaela: I got better.

Matt: *groaning* I should never have shown her Monty Python.

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

Michaela: Issues. I’ve got them. They’re not fun, especially when I don’t know where all of the landmines are.

Matt: It might be nice if both of us could fly.

Michaela: Seriously? You can change one thing and you pick that?

Matt: *shrugs* You’d already mentioned the issues thing, and you’ll get over those in your own good time.

Cupid: That’s sweet. Possibly diabetic even. Have the two of you had time to settle into any Valentine's Day traditions?

Michaela: Not yet. I can’t wait to see what Frank has planned, really.

Matt: Yeah, most of what we’ve done has either been family stuff, work stuff, life threatening, or sticky. Not that I mind ‘sticky’ as a Valentine’s tradition, but I was hoping for something more romantic to go along with.

Ricardo: You could come visit us! My X, he has the cutest island, she is right down near Bermuda!

X: Yeah, we gots to jet. You come by the crib, we’ll hang. You can even bring the Greek if he’s looking to vaca. He’s not half bad lookin’ hey Ricky?

Cupid: Okay then! Thanks to Matt and Michaela for joining us today. We hope you’ll check out their story, What Not to Fear.

To learn more about Matt and Michaela’s author, Robert C Roman, visit: http://www.robertcroman.com/



Blurb:

Michaela Miles is the Philly’s best detective. Sometimes her methods are medieval, but that's not surprising. Michaela has been fighting evil for nearly four hundred years.
George Matthew Franklin, Matt to his friends, is on the cutting edge of forensic science. He has been paired up with the city's best detective to prove what the new techniques can do. There's only one problem: he won't find much evidence if he can't take his eyes off his new partner.

Michaela and Matt make enemies, because Bad Guys don’t like detectives or investigators. Demons and Fae, Vampires and Thugs, none of them can get away with misbehaving when these two are on the case. When they all join forces to take vengeance, everyone involved will learn that there are always worse things to fear.

Excerpt:

“You wanted to see me, captain?”

“Have a seat, detective.”

“I prefer to stand.”

The captain’s response was dry, his lips forced into a rueful smile, “I didn’t ask. We might be here a while, and I don’t want you looming over me while we talk.”

“Oh, please. You’re nearly as tall as me sitting.”

“You have exceptional talent at looming. Sit.”

The owner of the beautiful voice sighed, a sound like wind in virgin forest. “Whatever.” Matt heard one of the cheap office chairs give the tiniest squeak, as if a child had perched on it. “Why isn’t Frankenstein sitting down?”

The captain’s voice took on the clipped tones of a parent dealing with a particularly frustrating child. “He doesn’t loom, and we haven’t been making small talk.”

“Doesn’t loom? He’s a mountain! How does a mountain not loom in an office the size of a walk in closet?”

“Inspector Franklin, it appears the detective is intimidated by you. Please, have a seat.”

Matt knew when an invitation was an order. Gingerly, he settled himself onto a chair opposite the detective. As he did so, he caught a glimpse of…

Beauty. Perfection. An angelic visage gazed at him and found him wanting. Features too even to be real stared back at him, formed of skin like milk and framed by broad curls of jet. Lips the color of carnation petals moved, and her voice filled the room again.

“Captain, why is the creepy scarecrow staring at me?”

TWILIGHT THURSDAY

A CUPID INTERVIEW

My guests today are, Emily Pawes and Captain Alan Silvestri – please, have a seat on our lovely couch! – from the lovely pirate haven of Tortuga, in the Kraken’s Caribbean. Their tale can be found in The Kraken’s Mirror a novel creation by Maureen O. Betita.

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, Captain Silvestri, tell our readers how you two first met. Was it by your design, or hers?

Silvestri: Excuse me, you paired us up? I hate to disappoint you, but my dearest Emily was brought to Tortuga by the Great Albino Kraken. I had no idea he was such a romantic, but evidently, he knew this woman was for me!

Cupid: (glares a moment at the pirate before turning to the woman) Emily, would you say it was love at first sight or did you find him repulsive?

Emily: First sight? That’s a bit complicated. I’d been blind blasted for watching the vampires waltz and when he ‘rescued’ me I never actually saw him. I had no idea what he looked like, but he had a friendly voice and he felt nice and he said all the right things. (casts a look at the pirate) And wrong things. If I’d known he was the enemy of the crew who’d taken me in and sheltered me, I’d have likely found him repulsive. (snickers) Or not! He knows how to…kiss a woman…

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?

Emily: When I found myself facing the bi…uh, terrible woman…who had cursed him, I’d just had my heart broken so working with him was the last thing on my mind. But the alternative of freezing to death and watching a friend fall under her spell… I did what needed to be done. Of course, I’d been set up.

Silvestri: I didn’t set you up! I tried to keep you from her palace, I wanted Mick to help me. Putting you in danger was never part of the plan!

Emily: No! Just Mick! Da…nged pirate!

Silvestri: Now now, it all worked out… As for how I felt when I realized I needed Emily to work with Mick and I to break my curse and save us all…I was terrified she’d balk. Or get hurt. I also knew she’d do it, because she is a singularly loyal woman. (tilts head at Emily, who sighs and smiles crookedly)

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”?

Emily: I suspected it, but after he shattered my heart to pieces…(snorts at Silvestri) Honestly, not until I’d returned to my time and world did I realize that even if he drove me insane, I didn’t want to live without him.

Silvestri: (smiles at her and takes her hand, winks) I knew long before that. I knew after Emily spent a night on my ship, The Immortal, that I cared for her more deeply than I could admit.

Emily: It was when I kicked you, right? (laughs)

Silvestri: I think it was when you soothed me after my nightmare.

Emily: Oh, yeah…when you got all secretive the next day. *snort

Silvestri: I had a lot on my mind, realizing I had fallen in love? (Emily smiles in forgiveness)

Cupid: Captain Silvestri, what would you say was your biggest obstacle to overcome before you could settle into a relationship with Emily.

Captain Silvestri: Her conviction that one (hold up a finger), she was too old for a passionate relationship. And (holds up two fingers), she was convinced I was a delusion and she was insane.

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

Emily: (glances at Silvestri, leans close to him) He thinks he brought us together, he really does!

Silvestri: (whispers back) Humor him.

Emily: (leans back and smiles brightly) Oh, well, the Great Albino Kraken and … Captain Jezebel, who I think knew we were secretly meeting and looked the other way.

Silvestri: Mama Lu, the Tortuga magic woman and my dear friend, who counseled me on how to court this stubborn woman.

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. Emily, how would you end this sentence, "I wish Captain Silvestri would _____?" *leans forward to eagerly hear your response*

Emily: You said this was a PG13 interview! (she thinks a moment then slowly smirks) Play cards with me again.

Silvestri laughs wickedly.

Cupid: Cards. (Looks from one to the other, Emily is looking totally innocent while Silvestri’s eyes have narrowed and he is stroking his beard) Something tells me these were special cards. Captain Silvestri, would you prefer to give Emily a bubble bath or a back massage? Why?

Silvestri: The last bath I gave her proved quite distracting and rewarding!

Emily raises hand: Massage!

Silvestri considers: How about a …front massage?

Emily blushes and slowly lowers hand.

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. Silvestri, what would Emily say is your aphrodisiac? *waggles eyebrows*

Silvestri replies without pause: Green apples.

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

Emily: Oh, he’s right! What would I say? (tilts her head a moment, thinking) Wine?

Silvestri’s rebuttal, if there is one: Or rum.

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

Silvestri: I think she’d say…touching my lips with her fingers. And she’d be right.

Emily’s rebuttal, if there is one: I’d have said using my lips to touch something else, but I’m sticking to the PG13 rating.

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

Emily chuckles: Kidnapping the woman he’s interested in, keeping her tied up, bathing her… Oh, yeah. PG13.

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

Silvestri: In some circumstances, yes. But I actually prefer starting with a swim in a fresh water pool, nude.

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

Silvestri: Ah! A picnic by a fresh water pool, followed by swimming, nude, and sleeping after a nice long evening of dalliance under the stars.

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

Emily: I hate to say this, but he is. (leans close, “Let’s visit the pools at Caicos, soon!”) He nods with a smile.

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

Emily: Find me after I left Tortuga. Trust me, he came a long, long way!

Silvestri: Agree to the placement of a lovely bit of jewelry. (winks)

Emily: PG13! Remember! (blushes and hugs herself with a rueful shake of her head)

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

Emily: I wish he weren’t so bossy.

Silvestri: I wish she’d understand I’m not being bossy. I’m just being the captain.

Cupid: Sounds like a long standing argument! Have the two of you had time to settle into any Valentine's Day traditions?

Emily: Nope, but I’m requesting chocolates and a trip to the pools at the Caicos.

Silvestri: What is Valentine’s Day?

Emily snorts: I’ll explain later, dolt.

Cupid: Thanks to Captain Alan Silvestri and Emily Pawes for joining us today. We hope you’ll check out their story, The Kraken’s Mirror. Available now from Decadent Publishing!

To learn more about Silvestri and Emily’s author, Maureen O. Betita, visit: http://www.maureenobetita.com/



Hi, I’m Maureen O. Betita and I’m a new author with Decadent Publishing. They will soon be releasing The Kraken’s Mirror, an erotic romance set in a Tortuga straight from my imagination.

Here’s a blurb from The Kraken’s Mirror, featuring piratepunk (my personal name for the genre I write) and Silvertons! Which are H/H who never move past their prime, no matter their age.

Treated by our youth oriented society as invisible and sexless Emily Pawes attends a pirate festival to recapture the make believe magic she knew as a younger woman. She wins an interesting bit of booty at an old woman's bric-a-brac stand. The Kraken's mirror is a magical portal and transports her to a land of Hollywood piratitude, where swashbuckling heroes own iPods. With little choice, she embraces the madness, deciding she’ll play pirate until she figures out how to get home. Or wakes up in a padded cell.

Instead of men in little white coats, she encounters the handsome Captain Alan Silvestri. He is a man haunted by a strange curse. Good luck is his to command, but it comes at the cost of any place to call home or people to call family. Resigned to die shunned by all, forced to sail every three days, he begins to dream of a special woman.

When they meet, sparks fly, passion flares. He needs her to be free, but more than that, he needs her to be whole. They set sail, uncertain of who has control of the wheel, seeking to defeat his curse of good luck and discover all the Kraken’s mirror plans for them.

Excerpt – This takes place after Emily has been blind blasted and is ‘rescued’ by Silvestri, quite prepared to take advantage of her condition. ;-)

The enigmatic woman turned away from him, chuckling.

“Oh, relishing the clichés. I’m…Pawes. Call me Pawes.” She held out a hand, moving it side to side as if searching for him.

“Ah, women do like to take their time.” He pressed a quick kiss on her knuckles and slowly released her.

He detected a slight hesitation before she nodded. “Yes. While men generally are in a hurry.” She turned her face toward him. “And you?”

“Call me Alan, Miss Pawes.”

“No, Pawes or Mrs. Pawes if you like, please.” Drawing a deep breath, she tried to focus on him, then winced, closing her eyes tightly. “You were behind me. Why didn’t it hit you?”

“Because I was behind you, but I twisted my face away in time. Let me escort you somewhere quiet and buy you a drink.”

“Are your intentions honorable?” Her head tilted.

“Of course not, but not actually dishonorable. I promise to warn you if driven to some despicable bit of deviltry.” He must have impressed her, because a smile danced across her face, that upward tilt of her lips to the left exactly as he remembered from his dreams. He wondered if the rest of the details were the same.



Website: http://www.maureenobetita.com/
I blog at
http://www.romancewritersrevenge.com/ (as 2nd Chance every Friday)
http://www.castles&guns.com/ (every other Tuesday)
http://believinginsecondchances.typepad.com/2nd-chances (every Sunday)

I’m on Facebook and Twitter

You can't be a pest.

She falls through the glass
Sails with Hollywood pirates
Discovers her self

Wistful Wednesday

Let's Talk About Love

What is love without some heartfelt declarations of the emotion? Nothing, I tell you. So let us explore some fine examples of literary declarations of love. Let us start with the letter in which Captain Wentworth declares his affections for Anne Elliot in Jane Austen's wonderful little novel, Persuasion:

I can listen no longer in silence. I must speak to you by such means as are within my reach. You pierce my soul. I am half agony, half hope. Tell me not that I am too late, that such precious feelings are gone for ever. I offer myself to you again with a heart even more your own than when you almost broke it, eight years and a half ago. Dare not say that man forgets sooner than woman, that his love has an earlier death. I have loved none but you. Unjust I may have been, weak and resentful I have been, but never inconstant. You alone have brought me to Bath. For you alone, I think and plan. Have you not seen this? Can you fail to have understood my wishes? I had not waited even these ten days, could I have read your feelings, as I think you must have penetrated mine. I can hardly write. I am every instant hearing something which overpowers me. You sink your voice, but I can distinguish the tones of that voice when they would be lost on others. Too good, too excellent creature! You do us justice, indeed. You do believe that there is true attachment and constancy among men. Believe it to be most fervent, most undeviating, in

F. W.

Now there was a man who knew how to declare himself, don't you agree? You pierce my soul, indeed!

And how about these little displays of affection?

I hope you enjoyed these little displays of love and affection! Until next time...