My Two Loves

I share my heart with two men. One, of course, is Ahmed. He will forever own my heart. There are really, really good reasons for this, and one of them brings me to my other love.

Michael. Ah, Michael. Though my darling Ahmed reigns over my soul and the deepest passions of my spirit, you will always command one small corner of my heart and a considerable segment of my lustful longings.

Your supple leather sings to me, Michael. I long to feel the smooth, firm straps against my arms... wrists... shoulders. I can't deny it. Your black straps can leave their rosy marks upon my flesh any time you want them to.

You know it, don't you?

Don't be smug, Michael. Don't. You'll ruin what we have, and what we have is beautiful.

And why will you never truly own me? It's not because you are a gay man who has no interest in a fat woman you've never met.

No, it's because that cagey, magnificent bastard I long ago gave my heart to knows me far too well. And while you can smile smugly in the knowledge that I crave your leather, Michael, do so knowing that only Ahmed can wield mastery over me. Only he is wise and powerful enough to realize an anniversary delayed by poor health and distance could only be salvaged by your Black Leather Ashbury Work Tote and it's seductive brass hardware.

And so, weak strumpet that I am, I will be subject to two men. But only one is my soul mate. And if I wear the imprint of your leather upon my skin, Michael, the straps were wielded by a master.

*shiver*

See Ya

Iwill be on a sabbatical until next week.

Call if you need me. If you don't have my number you don't need me.

Happy Father's Day

This weekend I am celebrating my dad. Go visit Fictionistas to read all about him:

CLICK HERE

Snodroddy Merriwether Properbottom

Meet "Snot." Because our lives are not even a little bit complicated, what with my health, Ahmed's travels, and a menagerie to rival any zoo... Ahmed's quick stop at the vet brought us "Snot."

No, not actual snot. Snot. I have dubbed him Snodroddy Merriwether Properbottom. Snot to his friends.

Snot is the result of a backyard breeder attempting to create a new "designer dog." His mother died in his first month of life, unable to nurse him. He was the lone survivor of the litter. He is Brussels Griffon, Maltese, and Yorkshire Terrier. These three breeds have nothing to do with one another other than size. Snot is unsocialized, terrified of everything around him, and small.

We are probably the wrong family for him. We've got two pugs, two cats, ferrets, horses, and more wandering through our lives and multiple locations. But Snot may not get a lot of chances because of his fear. So I'm giving him an obnoxious name and hoping he'll grow into it. Like the boy named Sue. He's the dog named Snot.

Change at RWA-- It's Time

Deidre Knight is taking a stand for change at the RWA, and we should all be considering her thoughts. Check out her piece HERE. If we really want the Romance Writers of America to represent all of its members, change has to take place.

Now Yer Cookin' with Chrissy

I love to cook. I come from a family of great cooks, and we not only share recipes, we make lots of them up as we go. Just this past week a couple of my oldest girlfriends attacked my worn-out, hand-scribbled recipe notebook to pick up some of their favorites. I happened to notice that all three girls went for the same recipes. So today I am sharing three of the savory recipes. This weekend I'll share three of the sweet ones.

Enjoy!

White Chili

1 cup diced or chopped chicken (leftover rotisserie is great for this)
1 small can chicken broth
1 stalk chopped celery, including the tops
1 small diced shallot
1 can rinsed, drained northern white beans (aka cannelloni)
1/2 teaspoon crushed, dry rosemary
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 tablespoons flour
salt and pepper to taste

In a soup pot, saute the shallots and celery in the olive oil until softened and translucent. Sprinkle flour over the top. Add chicken, stir once, let heat momentarily. Pour in the broth, add the beans and rosemary. Simmer low for an hour, or until the chili has thickened to desired consistency. You can serve this over leftover rice, too. Salt and pepper as desired.

Chrissy's Dashed Biscuits

Preheat oven to 400

1 cup Jiffy Mix (or Bisquick)
1/2 teaspoon sugar
1 small shallot, minced
1 tablespoon Mrs. Dash brand seasoning
1/4 cup club soda
2 tablespoons sour cream
flour for dusting

Combine all dry ingredients (except flour). Add soda and sour cream - alternating gradually until you have a heavy, moist batter. Turn onto a lightly dusted counter/surface. DO NOT KNEAD. Using your hands, simply spread the dough til it is flat and about 1/2 to 3/4 inch thick. Cut into rounds with a lightly dusted biscuit cutter or glass. Place on cookie sheet and bake for 10 minutes, or until golden.

Vidalia Puddin'
Preheat oven to 400 grease a 9 inch pie plate

1 large vidalia onion, sliced into thin rings
2 tablespoons butter
1 tablespoon melted butter
1 3/4 cups flour
2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 egg
1 1/4 cups milk (whole, not skim)
3/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese
2 tablespoons grated Parmesan (you can use breadcrumbs or crushed ritz crackers)

With two tablespoons butter, brown onions in skillet. Combine dry ingredients. Beat the egg and milk together, stir into the dry mixture. Add all but a few tablespoons of the onions. Fold in the cheddar. Turn into a 9 inch, greased pie plate (glass is best). Add remaining onions to top, drizzle with melted butter, and sprinkle Parmesan or alternative. Bake 30 minutes.

Coming soon: Oatmeal Shortbread, Choco-Blocko Bars, and Coocoo Berry Bars!

Great Title from Ciar Cullen

If you're a fan of great erotic reads, pick up Ciar Cullen's new erotic novella The Prince's Bride, from Loose ID.


Synopsis:

Sexy young knight Sir Geoffrey’s holy vision of the True Cross sends him questing after a virgin, a unicorn, a sacred scroll, and a cursed island. Rita is a plump, poor peasant who speaks with the finder of lost things, St. Anthony. She hasn’t been a virgin for quite a while, so she’s thrilled to win the hand of Sir Geoffrey, and moreso since Geoff delights in introducing her to his sexual peccadilloes, including a generous night of brotherly sharing. It comes as a shock to learn that Geoff’s vision includes his own martyrdom! Is Geoffrey’s vision the result of insanity, or is St. Anthony leading him to something priceless? Only Rita has the power to save her husband, with some help from her heavenly friends.

Jen Haymore's EXCELLENT New Read

A HINT OF WICKED by Jennifer Haymore

“A unique, heart-tugging story with sympathetic, larger-than-life characters, intriguing plot twists, and sensual love scenes make A HINT OF WICKED an impressive romance debut!”

– New York Times bestselling author Nicole Jordan

CAUGHT BETWEEN DUTY AND DESIRE . . .

Sophie, the Duchess of Calton, has finally moved on. After seven years mourning the loss of her husband, Garrett, at Waterloo, she has married his cousin and heir, Tristan. Sophie gives herself to him body and soul. . . until the day Garrett returns from the Continent, demanding his title, his lands-and his wife.

TORN BETWEEN TWO HUSBANDS . . .

Now Sophie must choose between her first love and her new love, knowing that no matter what, her choice will destroy one of the men she adores. Will it be Garrett, her childhood sweetheart, whose loss nearly destroyed her once already? Or will it be Tristan, beloved friend turned lover, who supported her through the last, dark years and introduced her to a passion she had never known? As her two husbands battle for her heart, Sophie finds herself immersed in a dangerous game-where the stakes are not only love . . . but life and death.

Also available in e-Book format

www.jenniferhaymore.com