#Advent 1 - A Taste

December and early January are full of countdowns. Advent calendars with little chocolates in them and the ball dropping in Times Square. A sense of anticipation surrounds this time of year. Part of it, for me, is anticipation of the end of the cold and dark! This far north (Edmonton Alberta) we go to work in the dark and come home in the twilight (if we're lucky). It is a relief to pass the shortest day of the year, to reach Christmas and New Years. We can take heart in knowing that winter is past its worst and things will only get better, brighter and warmer.

In that sense of anticipation, I hope to tease you throughout the month. I still have my regular interviews and may or may not participate in Tantalizing Tuesday and Flasher Friday as well, but each day we will open a little door together, reveal a little something. I intend for each to be a small taste, a lick of wonder at what is to come.

"Sit," she ordered, pushing him in the direction of the bed.
He stumbled slightly, legs hitting the mattress and landed with a thump. What was she doing? He had made a reservation for dinner and thought she was getting ready. Instead she was still in slacks and blouse from work.
"Don't move," she warned, shaking a finger. "You move and it's over."
Over? She had just invited him into her bedroom. That was usually a good sign, wasn't it?
She licked the fingers on one hand and he stared in fascination, watching her tongue flick out from between dark pink lips. He could just imagine them licking something else. She switched hands and he continued to stare at her mouth, until he spied what the other hand was doing to the buttons of her blouse.

So, will he stay still? What is she doing? I hope you like a tease.

Day 2

Gemma Parkes - Living and Loving with a Passion

I'm happy to introduce a fellow Naughty Nights Press author, Gemma Parkes.

Hi, Angelica.

You participate in several weekly features (Tantalizing Tuesday, Flasher Fiction Friday) Do you prepare them in advance? How far?

Well, I do love writing the Tuesday teasers and the Flash Friday’s but I’m afraid they are always rushed, last minute posts! That’s not to say I don’t still give them lots of thought (while I’m writing them) and take care over them, I do, but being very short pieces they really don’t take long to write. That’s the fun part, short and sweet (or sexy) but no need to agonize over the plot! I enjoy being part of the group too, there’s real camaraderie amongst authors.

Of course, I am an irregular participant in those flash pieces as well, and it's true, the lack of lasting commitment makes them fun. Like a one-night stand. LOL How do you find the authors you feature on your blog?

A lot of my featured authors are visiting me as part of blog tours which they have pre-arranged through Lucy Felthouse. Then there are those that have either requested a visit or I’ve enjoyed something they’ve written and I invite them over to talk about it. I get to know a few people through Six Sentence Sunday and, of course, the networking sites.

Is blogging a chore, or something you enjoy?

Lynnette Sofras aka the @ManicScribbler

Welcome Lynnette Sofras who is known on twitter and her blog as Manic Scribbler. She hosts Writer Wednesday, which looks like a great feature for fellow writers. How do you choose who to host?

Some months ago all my lovely reviews on amazon.com were deleted and, because when I read a great story, I want the whole world to know, I decided to resurrect these reviews on my blog and that's how I came up with my Wednesday's Writer spot. When I come across interesting writers whose books I've not yet read, I ask them if they'd like to submit a piece about their writing or an aspect of writing for me to post in place of a review. I must say I've made some great friends through this little feature.

I'll bet! Great way to share the love. You recently did a set of features on horror writers for Halloween. How did that idea arise? Are you connected with the authors?

Interview with Mona Karel

Today I'd like to introduce you to Mona Karel, a romance author.

Hi Angelica, thanks so much for having me visit.

You have a few recent posts on blogging, triberr, twitter and building your platform. Do you think you have hit your stride in these media or are you still learning? Do you have any pertinent tips for other bloggers?

I started the Monday Promo Primer to help share what little I've learned so far in the various methods of promoting our books. A lot of it links to some of the better blogs and articles I've found, and owes a lot to Marketing for Romance Writers, Kristen Lamb, Kayelle Allen, and Skhye Moncrieff

Cooking and recipes are obviously a big part of your blog. Where did the Passionate Cooks come from? It looks like a great feature.

Black Friday #bloghop #giveaway #blkfrihop

In Canada, we don't have a black friday in the same what our neighbours to the south do. We still have that day when retailers go into the 'black' (the meaning behind Black Friday), but we don't celebrate it with massive sales. However, at this time of year, the Christmas sales have started as the keen among us have been shopping for Christmas presents all year long and those retailers are desperate to catch our eye for one more thing, one more stocking stuffer.

Well, here's something to stuff your stocking. My second Blue Moon House prequel focuses on Harry or Harrold who is an accountant. I think that's all the set up you need for this scene.

She took his hands and perched on the bed beside him. “Do you trust me, Harrold?” she asked, pulling his wrist to her nose. He could easily imagine her biting him.

“I-I think so.”

She shook her head. “Not enough. Did you think it odd how Kendra asked me to stop?” He tried to remember. So much of the time with the black girl was seen through the blood haze of Lynn's bite afterward. 

D.F. Krieger: Ruff Love

Welcome back D.F. Krieger! This lovely lady has a thing for animals, in case the cat in her profile picture didn't give it away. What was your first pet? How long did you have him/her?

My first pet was a black cat named Ebony ( really wanted to name him Mordor, but for some reason my mom didn't think a 6 year old child should support the dark side.) I had him for about 5 years before I lost him to a medical condition. I still blame those blasted hobbitses to this day!

Nasty hobbitses! How many animals have you adopted? Do you plan to adopt more?

I've adopted countless animals, and adopted out even more through rescue. Many of the animals I choose to adopt and keep either have limited time due to health issues or severe disabilities. It's great because they don't make fun of me for mine. :) I currently have 5 cats, 2 dogs, 2 ferrets, and a ridiculously huge gerbil.

Haha, a hobbit himself, perhaps? Eating his second breakfast? Is it hard choosing which one to adopt?

#TantalizingTuesday - Introductions

Here are my 200 words that follow on the Masochist. Here Harrold meets a new woman, but one that will please him as much or more than Delores. Check out all the other Teasers on the blog.

“You are a difficult man to get a hold of, Harrold. I don't think I like that.”

“Pardon, madam, but I'm sure I'd remember if I made your acquaintance.”

Full red lips pulled up on one corner in a smirk. “You had better believe you would.” Her lusty tone told him much. “We haven't met,” she said, circling him. “I'd been informed that you were in need of my services.”

Harrold's brow furrowed. What woman provided a service he needed? What service...

A light shone behind his eyes just as she said, “Delores was quite insistent. More than is proper. I had to set her down. She enjoyed that, I think. Would you?” She glanced at Harrold from the corner of her oddly sparkling eyes.

“Would I what?” He was completely flustered. How had a whore gotten into this party?

Her palm slapped across his face. The sensation was familiar. Many ladies had spurned his advances when he was younger. However, this woman had a stronger arm than any of them. This pain rivaled that of the time his cousin had punched him in the jaw.

“You will pay heed when I speak. Would you enjoy being reprimanded by me?”