I’ll Have a Blue Christmas Without You

by D.L. Jackson

For each of the Christmas 1Night Stand stories, we were asked to title them after a Christmas Carol. Of course, I searched high and low for a title I felt fit my novel and was unusual enough no one else would think of it. This Endris Night is a 15^th Century Christmas Carol, rarely performed today, but lovely nevertheless. 

Thys endris nygth

I saw a sygth,

A stare as brygt as day;

And ever among

A mayden song

Lullay, by by, lullay.

Can’t you just hear a bard singing that as he’s surrounded by knights and ladies of the Renaissance? The last line kind of sounds like the Coventry Carol, also one of my favorite Christmas songs.

Speaking of favorite Christmas songs…

Last year, I was scrolling through the posts on Facebook and came across a music video by Vince Gill. Since I absolutely love this man’s voice, it melts me like butter, I clicked on the video and seconds later the tears began to pour.

First I should probably explain the why. When I was in the Army during the Gulf War, my husband was deployed to Egypt and I was pregnant with our first child. He’d left in August and wasn’t due to come home until spring. Not only would it have been our first Christmas together as a married couple, I was also carrying our baby and lonely, hormonal and a huge mess, left to spend Christmas alone while all my buddies had gone home on leave. I was too far along to fly, and driving alone on bad roads would not have been a good idea. So I decided to stay in my new apartment for the holidays.

Two days before Christmas Eve, I got the most beautiful letter from my husband. I’ve kept it for years, in the bottom of my dresser drawer. Still have it, and no, I won’t share it with you—it’s for my eyes only—one of those letters.  Anyway, when I hear that song, I think about the letter, how he missed me, and most of all, I think about how he made one of the toughest times of my life a little easier with the best Christmas Present I ever received—a love letter from my man.

So, I found the link on You Tube to Vince’s video: 

I hope you’ll check it out.  Oh, and the hunk in the photo, it’s a picture he sent home with the letter.

**Now, I’m going to be giving away a copy of my science fiction erotic romance, This Endris Night, and a $10.00 Gift Certificate to Amazon, to one lucky commenter on the blog**

And here’s to a not so blue Christmas for all of you.  Now go grab a glass of eggnog!

D L

All About the Options

by Stephanie Beck

My dad used to say the guy who bought a car with all the options was a sucker. The classics are called ‘classic’ for a reason and it’s because they are necessary, never go out of style and fulfill all basic needs.

My husband disagrees. He says the person who buys a car with all the options, but gets the sales guy to throw them in for a good price is the one who drives away with the wind in his hair from the open sun roof, his ass warm from the heated leather seats and a fake flashing light to keep away the morons who are tempted by the leather.

The whole idea of something being optional centers around that it’s just not necessary. When I read a recipe and it says ‘nuts optional’ I assume the recipe is just as good without it. In some cases I think the nut option is delicious, and others it’s highly overrated...my friend, f/f romance writer, Sullivan Hart would agree with that notion.

With endless color charts and silliness in some options, sometimes I wish them away. I don’t really need to have five thousand options for colors to paint my house. Yet...the freedom in choice is so addictive and strengthening. Options and the ability to make our own decisions is part of what makes us human and exciting.

What would life be without options? Would you like fries with that? I get some of my biggest self brownie points when I say, “No, I’ll take the fruit instead.” No choice between ‘decaf or regular’--we’d all just be grumpy or bouncing off the walls. And a world without ‘boxers or briefs’...I simply don’t want to be a part of a world without that particular option.

**When was the last time you splurged on an ‘option’? Did you add chocolate glaze to your Christmas cookies when they didn’t really need it? Did you buy that extra candle with your purchase of ten dollars or more?  Share your tale of decadence and be entered to win a Christmas prize pack including some of my favorite indulgences. 

Make sure to leave your email address!**

Panties Optional by Stephanie Beck

Blurb:

Maggie Chase has a wild night of passion planned with the help of Madame Evangeline’s dating service, 1NightStand. A single night with an incredible man, what more can a busy girl ask for?

Sam Peterson requests that Madame Evangeline help him find a woman who isn’t after him for his money. Maggie may just fit the bill, but with her list of fantasies in hand, she may be more than he bargained for.

Forever isn’t on either one of their minds, but maybe it doesn’t have to be.

Christmas Sneak Peek:

“Maggie Chase?”

“That’s me,” she said, adjusting her purse higher on her shoulder. The big tote didn’t quite match her outfit, but the sexy clutch she preferred wouldn’t have held a change of clothes and her toothbrush.

“Follow me, please. Madame Evangeline has arranged for your caller to meet you in the lounge.”

Lounge. Which meant they were going to the super-fancy part of the Castillo. She loved how decadent she felt within the expensive, gorgeous walls of the hotel. Rare art and beautiful fabrics surrounded her at every corner. As an interior decorator, she recognized them for the treasures they were. Could they have held back on the gold plating? Sure, but it suited the hotel and Vegas lifestyle.

As they meandered through the crowd, Maggie wondered why she wasn’t more nervous. One-night stands and paid escorts never entered her normal strategies for getting laid. Not that she expected the guy waiting for her to be some gigolo, but still, hooking up with a stranger to get string-free sex should have felt at least a little wrong. And maybe it did. Maybe that little bit of naughty provided the catalyst making her so hot.

Her escort stopped short, and Maggie nearly tripped. She grabbed the booth end before she fell on her ass and embarrassed herself, while forcing her heels to stop before she impaled the poor man. The stilettos were tall and wickedly sharp. They were plain wicked, but that didn’t mean she wanted to draw blood with them.

“Mr. Peterson, allow me to introduce Ms. Chase. If either of you have a need, wave from here. I’ll be watching.”

With those instructions, the liaison walked away. Despite the dim light, Maggie could see the man across from her. A stranger. A hot stranger wearing a gray shirt too nice to be called casual but far from fussy. He stood and offered a hand, showing a slim-to-the-point-of-scrawny frame, but when he leaned forward, his face, lean like the rest of him, made her breath catch.

My Letter to Santa

Dear Santa,

As you know, 2011 is coming to an end. You have approximately one week to make my wishes come true. No, this is not a threat letter. I’m trying to be a good girl this year…

As much as you want to say that I’ve been a naughty girl this year, I have to concede. Yes, I stole your naughty/nice list last year and had hidden it in Five Oaks. But truly that doesn’t mean I get another stocking full of coal, right? You have to understand the pain I’ve been through this year, trying to make amends.

So here are my demands:

1.    My dog won’t stop barking and watching T.V with me. He’s become a TV-addict…and truthfully, I don’t like it. He has to bark at every hot girl on screen. If you may, I would like glasses for my Maltese that make the television invisible when I have the telly on.

2.    My Uggs you brought me last year. They ran out of the color I wanted, so I think you should buy me another pair. Hopefully in caramel color, please.

3.    I’ve moved to Maryland this year and I’m surrounded by the wilderness. If you can, please build me a mall or some shopping store next my home. It’s really weird when I have to drive to the store for milk… I’m not lazy, I swear! My cave is just…out there in the boonies!

4.    If you could have a talk with the weatherman, I’d like some warmer weather out here and also I’m missing palm trees. My muse is to the point of disowning me because I refuse to move back to Hawaii.

5.    Lastly, all I want is everyone to be happy.

I hope you and the elves get everything done in time for Christmas. I know my letter is short notice, but surely you can work your magic.

And Santa, to show my gratitude, I’ve attachedSilent Night’s Seduction for your pleasure! It’ll be my gift to you right here. Check out the blurb!

Blurb:

Stubborn and proud cowgirl, Lily McCormick, is finally coming to terms with her quiet life on her parent’s ranch, until her older brother, as payback, signs her up for 1NightStand. Kidnapped and forced onto a plane to a foreign location, she faces the dreaded cold and an unwanted tryst, until her ex-husband appears before her…as her date.

New York City District Attorney, Rafe Martinez, would do anything to get his ex-wife back, even if it meant taking drastic measures to pretend he was there for another woman. When jealousy and rage surfaces and Lily’s tough demeanor wanes, desire and lust sparks their once powerful connection as truths unfold. Will Rafe convince her to return to him or push her further away from giving their love a second chance? 

Merry Christmas! Ho-ho-ho!

P.S. I’ve burned all my Christmas stockings, so if you’re gonna get me coal then you’ll have to provide those also.

Sincerely,

Clarissa Yip 

Am I missing anything else? What else should I ask Santa for?

**One lucky commenter will win a $10 dollar gift card and an e-book copy choice from my Decadent Publishing backlist! **

Bah Humbug to the holiday chores!

by Ashlynn Monroe

  

I call shenanigans on the amount of work awaiting me this holiday season!  Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE the family, food, gifts, and memory-making but I hate to clean, cook, and shop.  Okay…maybe not shop, but I hate the mad rush for perfection.  I’m the holiday girl in the family.  I cook and plan for weeks before the big day and I shop literally all year round.  I’m the hostess with the mostest but the honorable duty is exhausting.  I started a new tradition last year.  Now I take one afternoon out of the craziness to read a good book.  This year I’m planning to switch it up and let my Kindle read to me while I relax in a nice bubble bath.  

**I hope you will take a break too, and to encourage you I’d like to give you a copy of your choice of ebook from my Decadent Publishing backlist!  I’d also like to give you a special swap package.  It includes a XL t-shirt with my tag line, sparkly ornament, heart shaped sticky corkboard (for all those gift lists), 2012 calendar magnet, small magnet, personal invitation to visit my website, signed postcard, and a pink fuzzy sticky feet computer pal, perfect for keeping you company while you shop for books.  Just comment on this blog about what you’re going to do to stay sane this holiday season and take a few “me time” moments.**

Here are the blurbs of my DP books.  I hope that if you’re going to be give e-readers this holiday season you’ll include one of my books for the reading enjoyment of the recipient.  If you have an e-reader on your gift list, I hope you’ll add one of my titles to your library.  Visit http://ashlynnmonroe.com to see my full backlist of titles.  I’d love to hear what you think at authorashlynnmonroe@gmail.com.  You can follow me on twitter @ ashlynn_monroe or like my author page on facebook, just search Author Ashlynn Monroe.

Vengeance (Book One of the Vengeance Series)

Blurb: 

With her husband murdered and her city growing more dangerous each day, Audra Jacob struggles to build a new life for herself and her young son. Her first step is finding a perfect job at the offices of wealthy businessman Cain Maddox. Cain is hot, but Audra's sure a man like him couldn’t be interested in a nobody like her.

Cain Maddox is more than a handsome CEO. He's a mysterious vigilante, the one thing that keeps the criminals from overrunning Roman Falls. Dark forces helped create the protector he’s become. His powers given by a demon inside he struggles to control. When he’s moments too late to defend Audra, the woman he’s grown to care for, he brings her to the one man he knows can save her.

As a dormant creature inside of Audra awakens, so does her need for vengeance and answers.

Retribution (Book Two of the Vengeance Series)

Blurb: 

The Phoenix breaks her silence, revealing to Audra why she’s been chosen. When Audra and Cain learn their ‘inner’ demons have unfinished business with each other, Audra realizes there are far more obstacles to loving Cain than she’d imagined.

Cain struggles to help Audra cope with her new powers and their tentative partnership begins to take shape. When Cain’s life is threatened, Audra will have to fight the Phoenix to save him. Darkness threatens to consume them and secret enemies are revealed.

Back in the Saddle (a paranormal title in the 1NS Series)

Blurb: 

All Jesa wants is peace from her father and aunt meddling in her life. When she decides to use 1 Night Stand to find a date, she never imagines she’d be matched with the very type of man she’s trying to avoid.

David is a werewolf. As the oldest male in his family he must battle the inner violence that his wolf begs him to unleash. His sister’s meddling leads him and Jesa to a meeting that will rock their worlds, bringing them an emotional connection and ecstasy neither expected.

Cookies. No. More.

 by Liz Crowe

Once upon a time: 

I baked cookies for the holidays.  Actually I would embark upon massive, amphibious-landing-style baking projects. Shopping lists would be coordinated and cross-checked with old and new recipes, sweet and savory were carefully contrasted and coordinated. Entire days were planned around how many edibles could be produced, stored and/or readied for gifting.  Adorable receptacles for yummies were procured, set up and filled, assembly line style.  Platters were decorated and arranged.

The pinnacle and ultimately the high water mark for this massive, stress-producing endeavor occurred in Billericay, Essex, England, Christmas season 2003.  The Crowe clan was on its third country and yours truly was nearly cross-eyed with trailing-spouse syndrome. That unenviable condition wherein you start to doubt your place in the universe for anything other than keeper of crucial travel documents and ironer of school uniforms.  It is a real malady, trust me.  There is only so much one can absorb of being a foreigner 24/7.

So me mum had arrived for a couple of weeks, made the honestly innocent comment: you haven’t started your usual holiday baking projects. And I went spinning out of control in a 48-hour frenzy of production--and unhappiness.  You see, I hate cooking, and baking.  I love food, mind you and my ultimate NYT Best selling author rich bitch luxury shall be in this order:

1.  Chef

2.  Laundry man

3.  Pool boy

4.  personal trainer who can’t keep his large ... hands off me.

But that year, I was determined to go over the top.  I had something to prove.  To this day I don’t know what it was, but I remember the breathless desperation that drove me to pull an all-nighter in order to produce 27 beautiful, Martha Stewart would claw her eyes out with envy teensy gift bags of home made goodness for my spouse’s employees.

It was nauseating, and ultimately liberating when the man himself waltzed in the door from what would turn out to be his LAST trip “back to Turkey” which became a euphemism in my brain for “Local girl on the make nearly dies from stilleto in her eye as successful auto exec cowers in terror” and said to me: Gee “Honey, these bags are sort of ... small.”

He was only out for about 30 minutes from the hot cookie sheet he caught on the temple.

Once we got past that extremely tough Christmas--the one where I learned that no matter how much frigging chocolate you sling around the kitchen it can’t save a slipping marriage, I was free.  Free of the need to prove anything by being miserable standing at the stove.

Now, we hit December and my spouse starts saying things like “let’s go out to dinner” a lot.  Because he knows how I get. I get mental hives anywhere near an oven, start shaking like I’ve got the DT’s, and am compelled to throw things at his head.  So, we go out to dinner.  A lot.

Happy Christmas to You!  If you get anything edible from me, I assure you it shall be “store bought” and perfect.

I’ve got a lovely trilogy of 1NightStand heat and heart available from Decadent Publishing.  Turkish Delights, Blue Cruise and Tulip Princess tell the story of the Deniz family, their lives, loves and losses.  The prequel, The Diplomat’s Daughter, will be released in 2012.

And on December 30, be sure and catch my hot soccer star story, Caught Offside, another in the popular 1NightStand series.

Ramon Castillo, world famous soccer player and international playboy has suffered a career-ending injury.  After the humiliation of a shattered knee and shin at the World Cup final he has spent year in surgeries and painful therapies, the last three months of which are at the Castillo resort in Las Vegas under the watchful eye of his cousin, Jackson.

Gillian Winter, catering and wedding manager for the MGM Grand Hotel is nurturing her own deep wounds.  Her beloved husband has died unexpectedly, leaving her with a young son whose one dream is to meet his hero--Number 17--Ramon Castillo.  When a chance encounter in the lobby of the MGM reveals Ramon's presence in their midst, everyone's lives are changed forever.   Is healing possible for Ramon and Gillian after just one night?

**Leave a comment for a chance to win a $20 gift card to Zingerman's Family of Businesses, an Ann Arbor, Michigan based, internationally known business with a deli (been on Oprah), bake house, road house restaurant, coffee shop and mail order company**

Liz blogs at:  www.brewingpassion.com

And  www.a2beerwench.com

Holiday Interview with Frey Berger from Celestial Seduction

Jessica Subject: I’d like to welcome Frey Berger here to talk about how he celebrates the holidays. He is originally from the planet Ginnun and has had to make quite the adjustment learning Earth cultures.

Frey: Actually, it wasn’t that hard. I was trained by the Space Service to adapt to different cultures. It was my job to learn as much as I could about a planet before leaving for the next. Except, this time I never left the planet I was sent to observe. I left the Space Service instead.

Jessica [flummoxed by the gorgeous man in front of her]: Yes, you were a field informant for the Space Service. So, tell us what your first December was like on Earth.

Frey: Cold. I was dropped off in an open field just outside of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada on the first day of winter. Snow blew everywhere, and my contacts were late picking me up due to the weather. When they finally arrived, I could barely move. Every part of me was frozen. They took me to my lodging, warmed me up and gave me a money card so that I could buy appropriate clothing. Of course, I had to perfect this human holographic image I wear on Earth first.

Getting said clothing was an adventure. I rushed to the nearest clothing store, part of what is called a mall, and searched for the items on the list I’d been given. What I didn’t expect was the chaos all around me. People shoved me out of the way with their bags and I even had a personal transport cart run over my foot. Somehow I escaped that store and ended out in the hallway, another crowded avenue. But through all of the pandemonium, I heard a loud, belly laugh and had to know where it came from. In the middle of a gathering of people, including many small children, a man in a red suit with a long, white beard sat smiling. And his joy seemed to rub off on those around him. So many others in the mall were wearing parts of the suit as well; hats and pants... When I came across a store selling the same suit, I bought one. After all, a coat, snowpants, hat, gloves and boots were on my list…

I walked around for five days in that outfit, kids coming up to me to tell me what they wanted the man named Santa Claus to bring them for Christmas. They seemed to know I was not the real Santa Claus but thought somehow I could relay their message to him. My Earth contacts arrived seven days later to see how I was adapting and laughed at my outfit. They told me Christmas was over and I had to find something else to wear. During my second shopping trip, they came with me and helped me to pick more “appropriate” clothing.

Jessica: Wow! Most people who live here avoid the malls during that time of year due to the bedlam. I couldn’t imagine what you must have gone through. So, how did you celebrate the holidays the following year?

Frey: Alone. I had just told my Mission Commander from the Space Service that I didn’t plan on returning to Ginnun, my home planet. Why would I return to a planet where people have no emotional connection to each other? Those I thought to be my friends stabbed me in the back. Sorry, that is still a bitter topic.

Jessica [wanting to give Frey a hug]: No worries. Although emotions can be bothersome sometimes, I can’t imagine living on a planet without them. So how do you plan on spending your holidays this year?

Frey: Well, hopefully in the company of a lovely lady named Carrie.

Jessica [groaning inside]: Can you tell us about Carrie?

Frey: She’s a paediatric nurse, has the most amazing blue eyes, and is my date for tomorrow night.

Jessica [trying to stop starring at Frey’s own amazing eyes]: And how long have you known this Carrie?

Frey: I’ve never met her. Tomorrow will be our first date, but I plan on it being the first of many. She needs what I can give her, and I hope she’ll want me just the same.

Jessica [still groaning inside, but wishing Frey the best]: Okay, one last question. What is the one thing you cannot do without on the holidays?

Frey: That’s easy. It’s two things really. The first is the red suit I bought that first year here. I always wear it at the Christmas party for the construction company I started when I first arrived here. I love seeing the joy on the children’s faces when they sit on my knee telling me their holiday wishes. And second is the Marshmallow Squares one of my crew makes. She brings them in for everyone to try, but only during the holidays. They’re a mixture of peanut butter and mini marshmallows.

Jessica [stomach rumbling]: Sounds delicious. Do you think you can get me the recipe?

Frey: Sure, I’ll send it to you. Now, is this over, because I need to get to work?

Jessica [standing]: Yes, thank you so much Frey for allowing this interview. I hope your date with Carrie goes well.

Frey: Thank you as well. It’s nice to find someone not afraid to talk to an alien. I hope Carrie will feel the same way.

Jessica: Will you let me know how it goes?

Frey: Sure, I’ll let you know when I sent you the recipe. I’ve really got to go. Bye.

Marshmallow Squares

1 pkg butterscotch chipits

¼ cup margarine

½ cup peanut butter

2 cups mini marshmallows

Melt first three ingredients over boiling water (double boiler). Once melted, mix in marshmallows. Put in square cake pan and let set in refrigerator.

Celestial Seduction Book Trailer

Buy Link: http://www.decadentpublishing.com/product_info.php?products_id=298&osCsid=7ecd1160c19791c32c31e88f0cadf2ab

Also available from many other ebook retailers.

Bio:

Jessica Subject started writing to encourage her daughter to read. Now she writes to keep herself grounded. Although she reads many genres, she enjoys writing Science Fiction Romance the most and believes everyone in the universe deserves a happily ever after. She lives Southwestern Ontario, Canada with her husband and two kids and loves to hear from anyone who has enjoyed her stories.

Website/Blog: http://www.markofthestars.com

Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/jsubject

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Jessica-E-Subject-author/205759796126370

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4959083.Jessica_E_Subject

Google +: https://plus.google.com/100079570422204018357/posts

Giveaway:

I will be giving away a $10 gift certificate to AllRomanceEbooks.com and Celestial Seduction swag. For your chance to win, tell me the one thing you can’t do without over the holidays. Contest is international. Winner will be randomly chosen January 2^nd, 2012 and posted on the blog on January 5^th. Please leave your email address in the body of your message. All the best!

Bah Humbug!

by Wendy Burke


Gosh, I hate to say it, but I'm not a big fan of holidays. Christmas just isn't Christmas anymore considering it now starts before Halloween. So, when I get in a "bah humbug!" funk, I like to remember Christmases past.
Like how our house smelled during Christmas. "Warm and piney?" No, our house smelled like Russian sausage and kielbasa simmering in the oven, along with a nice ham. Toss in the nutty aroma of potica and I'm home.

Yummy, potica (pronounced poh-TEETZ-zah.)

For those of you who don't know, potica is a Slovenian nut bread, made a very specific way. In my house, if my mom didn't have the five foot round kitchen table sprinkled with flour and the dough rolled out to the table's complete size, it wasn't a good potica. Of course, in the making, the floor would end up floured as well, enabling me to do the "Risky Business" Tom Cruise singing slide in the kitchen...but in my corduroy pants! Gosh, I miss my mom's potica!


Of course, we all grow up and end up with our own Christmas memories.

Get pine tar out of that fur!

My first one in Ohio was of losing my cat Chaplin. Oh, don't be dismayed, I found him--clinging to the trunk of the Christmas tree! Yep--that's a memory, trying to scrub pine tar out of the belly fur of a long-haired cat!
A side effect of my "bah humbugness" is that I could care less if we have a Christmas tree anymore. However, my husband is a huge tannenbaum fan! Day after Thanksgiving, he's hunting at our favorite tree spot, the Whitehouse Christmas Tree farm in Whitehouse, Ohio. I go along  if I'm not working, because the 'boys' who work there are mighty cute! But, the huz comes home with a lovely tree and I'm thankful I'm usually not around when he strings it with lights. (Man vs. Light String...we all know who wins that one!)

Rendering of Louie after the light incident.

And, it wouldn't be Christmas in our house without another Christmas cat story. All kittens are curious, but Louie just couldn't leave well enough alone. Along with checking out the tree, he decided that a little mini-light would make a good snack. How did we know?  Well, there was a 'REOWW,' the thunk of small cat against floor, then all the tree lights went out. Weeks later, we found the light socket with small teeth marks in it. He hasn't been near a tree since! (Not to worry, he's fine...but still a doofus.)


So, however you enjoy (or deal with!) Christmas, despite the hustle, bustle, cards, cookies and presents, there are spots of joy---just don't forget to remember those little moments of joy!

**Leave a comment and two lucky comment-leavers will win a $15 gift card from Amazon.com (to hopefully spend on Decadent Publishing books!) Merry Christmas!**

Happy Holidays!
Wendy

Wendy Burke blogs regularly for A Daily Dose of Decadence. She has two books on Decadent's shelves and hopes the house has room for 247 more! She can be found on Facebook – Wendy Burke Author, at her blog site, Whatever Wendy!, at Twitter: @WendyBurke1994 and lurking around the Internet. When not playing with the people in her head, Wendy has a fine life with a chef husband (YES – no cooking!) and two furry feline kids and a full-time job that keeps her from writing fulltime in ‘beautiful’ Toledo, Ohio. 

What do you get for that special someone in your life for Christmas…

by Starla Kaye

Maggie’s eyes were itchy and tired from spending too many hours surfing the web. She’d spent nearly all day searching for that “perfect” Christmas gift for Ian. It had to be something extra special. Something he wouldn’t buy for himself, yet something he would like from the second he saw it. She loved him so much she could hardly breathe at times when she thought about him. How had she lived so long without him? She thanked Madame Eve every night in her prayers for finding her the only man who could ever fit her fantasies, her secret wishes, her needs.

Her fantasies…his desires. She knew exactly what to get him. Her fingers flew across the keyboard, finding the Toys of Your Dreams website again. There it was, listed under Sex Toys, under Bondage and Fetish, a gift to satisfy Ian’s desires. One that she would have fun with, too. A heart-shaped, pink faux fur paddle. Even now her heart raced, heat curled low in her body. Yes, yes, yes! Perfect. 

*** 

Ian paced his office, frowning out the window at the clear signs of winter taking over the Highlands. Snow dusted everything in sight and was still falling. Not only was winter upon them already but also Christmas was speeding toward them…toward him. He couldn’t think, couldn’t concentrate on the book he was writing. His thoughts were consumed with what to get the woman who owned his heart. It had to be unique, just as she was. It had to be something she wouldn’t normally buy and yet something she would like. What? He was running out of time to order anything and have it delivered before the holiday.

He settled into his chair again, sighed heavily. Then he caught sight of the photo he’d printed off from the email with the first picture of Maggie that Madame Eve had sent him. Maggie was dressed as a sexy cupid with fluffy white halo and wings, wearing a pink mini-dress with a corseted top. White thigh highs with pink bows stretched over her gorgeous legs. Pink stilettos completed the outfit. She hated that photo of her as a scantily clad cupid. He would never get rid of it. He thought about the numerous times she’d worn the costume for him, always reluctant at first. But giving in to his wishes always ended well for her. Maybe he could talk her into wearing it tonight.

That’s it! He’d get her a gift they would both end up enjoying. Another costume to light his fires, so that he would in turn light hers. And he knew exactly what he wanted, something similar to the cupid/angel, yet naughtier. Naughty was always good.

He located the Hot Dreams website and went to the Costumes tab. Black Swan. His body tightened just looking at the black corset with black feather cup detail, its rhinestone studded front and black tutu-style skirt. And he couldn’t ignore the black feather wings. He didn’t see the model wearing the costume; he saw Maggie in it. Christmas couldn’t come soon enough now. He’d convince her to put the costume on immediately…and then he’d remove it, piece by piece. He hit Buy Now. The trick would be waiting until Christmas to give it to her. With Maggie, he didn’t seem to have much inner strength. But he’d found it, the perfect gift…to go along with the couple dozen other gifts he’d already bought and stashed away.

**Leave a comment for a chance to win a copy of Maggie's Secret Wish and a "special treat" for the playful, naughty woman. A 12" long, 2" wide pink and black faux-leather paddle to make you "blush"**

Is Santa going to reward you for being a good girl this year?

by Cerise Deland

Gosh, I hope so.

To spur you on to goodness (but why would I want to be good, you may well ask), I will give away a few things that really have to do with the story! 

What?

A coffee mug from a Shakespeare Festival. A tote bag from a famous Las Vegas hotel/resort. Why those? Because in my story, SANTA CUTIE, the heroine used to work at one...and now works at the other. (Yes, when I was at both this summer, I was in the midst of writing this and wanted something unique for you!) Plus in the gifties will be lip balm (to make your kisses sweeter), a candle to romance by, plus romance trading cards!

Meanwhile, I hope you set yourself up for a wonderful holiday season by reading all the holiday 1Night Stand releases here at Decadent. 

My contribution to the fun is SANTA,CUTIE about a lady who does believe in Santa and who, like the song "SANTA, BABY"goes, asks for a few things she'd love to get. Like a guy. Made for her. Atuned to her.  A man for just one fabulous night!

Had such fun writing this story. The research, buying your drawing gift AND seeing the marvelous final cover!

Happy Holiday!

Cerise DeLand

www.cerisedeland.com