Happy Holidays!

For the first time in about five years, I actually bought a Christmas tree! And even decorated it! And I’m having the whole family over for Christmas Day. Usually we do it at my sister’s house, but I made the executive decision to have it at my house this time instead of making her do all the work. I love having everyone over, but, a little secret just between you and me, it’s also a really good way to force myself to do the spring cleaning I didn’t get to last Spring! Here’s a photo of my tiny tree (with flash and without so you can see the lights). Having such a small tree is great because it makes it look like there are so many Christmas presents under there, when in actuality, we have a $20 limit per person. But let me tell you, when you think small, you can get a ton of stuff for $20!

We’re going to have the traditional English dinner that I remember from when I was a child: roast beef and Yorkshire pudding, with roasted potatoes and cauliflower in cheese sauce. The last time we made it at my house, my mother accidentally unscrewed the blender incorrectly and dumped the Yorkshire mixture all over the floor. Poor dear, she was mortified! But we just made another batch, and the Yorkshires were perfect. Now, for dessert, we’re going to have my mother’s very own special English trifle. Gosh, that stuff is good.

So, what is your traditional holiday like, whether it’s Christmas, Hanukkah, or whatever? Anyone doing anything fun and exciting for New Year’s?

Leave a comment and your contact e-mail address and I’ll enter you in the drawing for a copy of Barbara Freethy’s Suddenly One Summer. Barbara is a great writer, and in my local RWA chapter. I’ll announce the winner on my next blog, and I’ll also add you to my newsletter for updates if you aren’t already a member. And congratulations to Deidre, winner of Tara Janzen’s Loose and Easy from my previous blog. Please email me on skully at skullybuzz dot com, Deidre, and I’ll get the book sent out to you!

Don’t forget to stop by and check out Dead to the Max and Mine Until Morning, Book 3 in my Courtesans Tales. Tomorrow (Dec 21) I’ll be blogging on Crystal's Erotiblog, so pop over for a chance to win a copy of Yours for the Night, the first book in the Courtesans Tales.

Meet Emmitt!

I had a marvelous Thanksgiving holiday with my mom and a wonderful visit out to my brothers. One of the highlights of the trip was meeting Chelle and Emmitt. Chelle is a great fan of mine (whoohoo, thank you, Chelle, for making my entire year), and I fell in love with her baby Emmitt. That's me with Emmitt investigating my arm. He’s adorable, don’t you agree? He’s a 4-year-old Capuchin monkey (Chelle, beat me if I got that wrong!) and his general life span is forty years. His tail is tremendously strong. He’s been raised as a service animal, knows how to turn doorknobs and work the IPad (as you can see!). These monkeys can be trained to open bottles, dial 911 on special phones, pick up dropped items, and even work the remote! I’m sure there are a host of other things they can do, too. I hope you enjoy these photos courtesy of my sister-in-law Lynn on her phone (why didn’t I think of taking my camera, smack me upside the head!). I especially love the one below with Chelle, Emmitt, and Cookie Monster! I have a photo of my dear departed Eddie Munster (the cat) with Cookie Monster on my fridge. Thanks for having us over, Chelle! It was wonderful!

Thanks for stopping by and meeting Emmitt! Leave a comment and your contact e-mail address and I’ll enter you in the drawing for a copy of Tara Janzen’s Loose and Easy. I’ll announce the winner on my next blog in approximately two weeks, and I’ll also add you to my newsletter for updates if you aren’t already a member.

Don’t forget to stop by and check out Dead to the Max in PRINT with a fresh new cover look and a text revamp! Tomorrow Mine Until Morning, Book 3 in my Courtesans Tales, will be released in stores. Don't miss the excerpt on my site. To celebrate, I’ll be blogging on the Tote Blog tomorrow (Dec 7) with a chance to win a copy of Hers for the Evening, the second book in the Courtesans Tales. So be sure to stop by!

Guest Blogger Rosemary Gunn

A little business first! Congratulations to Estella on winning last week's blog, a copy of Marianne Stillings Sighs Matter! I've got your address, Estella and I'll get the book mailed out to you as soon as I get back from vacation (next week!).

And now, I'd like to introduce my special guest Rosemary Gunn. I had the great pleasure of reading an advance copy of Hearts A Plenty and let me tell you, it's a thrill a minute, sexy, touching, emotional, this story has everything! Enjoy the excerpt! Thanks for being here, Rosemary! And Open Proposal is a wonderfully sexy story, too!

Hello everyone and thanks for stopping by! I’m thrilled to be here to talk about my new release Hearts A Plenty, Book 1 of my Vintage Love series. Thank you SO much for having me, Jas!! You’re the best! I'll be giving away a print copy of my book, Open Proposal. All you need to do is answer the question following the excerpt below to be eligible to win. Good luck!

Welcome to Awry, the sleepy Midwest town where family roots run deep and friendships deeper; where passion burns white-hot and secrets are everybody’s business.

Hearts A Plenty brings us into the lives of lovers Claire and Jared, as they prepare for a visit from Claire’s stepbrother, Mark.

Excerpt from Chapter One
“Of course, I’ll be there. It’s been weeks since I’ve seen you and Daddy and I’m dying to see Jill’s baby.”

Claire Mason wandered around the condo as she talked on the phone, a habit that Jared Young had enjoyed watching during their many months of dating. He listened as she made her way through the kitchen into the living room then back down the hall toward the entry. He was surprised the floor didn’t show signs of wear from the circular route she typically traveled.

As part owner of an architectural salvage business, Claire’s place had an eclectic blend of many different eras. The brass and stained-glass light from the early twentieth century in the entrance illuminated a rough strip of barn wood lined with metal hooks and the jackets hanging there. In the hallway leading to the entry, an antique cherry-picking ladder attached horizontally to the wall provided the perfect complement for the black-and-white family photos showcased between the rungs.

The furnishings she used to create her home provided some insight about her quirky tastes and passion for her business, but none of it really mattered to Jared. He’d been content in the office/living area above his restaurant before more of his stuff started staying at her place than his.

From his vantage point he could see her reflection in the ornate floor mirror by the front door. Strain pulled at her soft lips and tightened the delicate curve of her jaw. Her sadness tugged at his heart. She stopped and leaned her forehead against the wall. The lavender in the old metal newspaper box that was secured upright usually helped to calm her, but it wasn’t working tonight. She closed her eyes and shook her head, maybe hoping some of her denial to whatever Dorothy was saying would travel telepathically through the phone.

Jared had been stretched out on the vintage sofa watching Claire as she talked to her stepmother, but now went to her and wrapped his arms around her waist from behind. She wore a white tailored blouse with a classy high neck, unbuttoned just enough to hint at the delicious upper curves of her breasts, and a tan wool skirt hugged her hips. Just like her home decor, it made no difference to him what she wore; she always looked beautiful. She’d worked at the shop and attended a meeting today, but her T-shirts and jeans got him riled up as well. He’d like it if she’d wear just nothing at all. He didn’t have any problem wrapping his body around her curves and keeping her warm on the cold Michigan nights.

She settled against him. He heard and felt the steadying breath she took, knowing she drew strength from his touch. He had a feeling about where the topic had turned, which was confirmed by her next words.

“And Mark knows of this proposed arrangement?” Jared smoothed his hands up her sides over her ribs, feeling the soft shiver of awareness flutter through her. His own body tensed as he waited for Claire’s side of the conversation. He cupped the fullness of her breasts, rubbing the hard peaks through the crisp cotton and thin lace covering them.

“I realize that we’re family, Dorothy.” Emphasis obviously being repeated, though Claire’s words had a breathless quality that Dorothy Pierce-Mason’s had probably lacked. “That doesn’t necessarily mean that Mark is going to feel comfortable staying at my place while he’s here.” Another silence as Claire listened. Jared’s heart had settled somewhere in his throat as his mind quickly sifted through the many possibilities in the near future.

Okay, so now you've had a brief introduction to our couple. What would Jared like to see Claire wear all the time? (Remember to include your email address in your comment.)

Thanks again for stopping by and to Jas for inviting me to visit will you all! Be sure to stop my blog at rosemarygunn.blogspot.com for another opportunity to win a print copy of Open Proposal!

Happy Holidays,
Rosemary