Friday Treat and Tidbit

It's Friday, thought I'd treat all you hussies to a little hotness....

Wallingford and Jane (at least in my mind)

Matthew slid in beside her, his hand resting beneath her breast. The breeze blew across them, sending a few blossoms wafting down,landing on the exposed flesh of her chest. She moved her hand to brush them off, and Matthew clasped her hand in his, threading his long fingers slowly between hers.
"Let me." Then, lowering his head, he gently blew the blossoms off
her gown. Jane couldn't smother the small cry that escaped her, nor could she
hide the goose bumps that sprang up to cover her flesh. His hand tightened on hers, then his lips brushed over her skin in much the same way as his breath had. Her skin tingled, and an ache developed in her breasts.
"You taste so sweet," he breathed against her flesh. "Your skin is so soft, so warm."
Jane cried out when he unlocked his hand from hers, but her protests ceased when she felt his fingers beneath the edge of her bodice.
"It all went so wrong last night, Jane. So wrong," he murmured as he tugged the bodice lower and ran his tongue along the edge. "You thought I believed you insignificant, but the truth is, I find you fascinating. You think I suppose you're not pretty, but, Jane," he said, looking up, "I find you stunning. Your eyes…your imperfect mouth. It's beautiful, and I want to paint you how I see you, sensual and womanly, dying to break free of an ideal that imprisons you."
His fingers unhooked the top buttons of her gown, and she glanced over to Sarah, who was quite a way away, partially concealed by the trunk of a tree.
"She sleeps deep," he whispered as he parted her bodice to reveal the swells of her breasts, "and I need you. I know your body is not mine, that you will not give it wholly, but could you give me something of you, Jane?"
She closed her eyes and allowed him to bend his head to her breasts. He nudged the gown lower with his mouth, nipping her skin.
"Yes," she murmured. Tentatively, she ran her fingers through his hair.
"Matty," she whispered in ascent, holding hiim close to her, "please..."


Bran (the hair is wrong, but boy oh boy, the pose is dead on!)



In three strides he was at Mairi's side, pulling her away from Suriel.
“Come with me,” he growled.
She dug the heels of her shoes into the carpet. “I don’t think so.”
Bran’s mood blackened and he picked her up, carrying her out of the room and to the stairs that led to his bedroom.
“Put me down,” she yelped, hitting his back with her fists. He did, but then all but dragged her up the stairs before shoving open the bedroom door. He slammed it shut and pressed her against it with his body. He was hot. Hard. And dying for her.
“If you want it so bad,” he growled, “I’ll give it to you.”
Roughly, Bran crushed his mouth against Mairi’s, forcing her to accept him, wiping away all traces of Suriel. Moaning, Mairi wrapped her arms around his neck, bringing the mounds of her breasts up against his chest. His body tightened, his cock swelling. Their kiss was unbroken as he crossed the floor and pushed her on to the bed. Her body was restless against his, her fingers clenching in his hair, bringing him closer to her. Bran’s kiss turned more carnal, and Mairi returned it with exuberance, matching his rhythm and allowing her tongue to dance with his.
“I want you naked,” he said in a gruff voice. He wanted to tear that dress from her body but he didn’t want to spare the time, so he waved his hand and the fabric melted away. He smiled in triumph before lowering his head, preparing to devour her whole...

He's Here....

OMG, I just opened the door to the hottie FedEX guy, bearing Bran. Wow, I thought the cover was great in jpef form, but wait till you see him in real life! And gold foil, too! (I'm easily impressed!)

Joey Hill had this to say about Velvet Haven--"Sophie Renwick has created a sexy cast of heroes and loads of intriguing story twists."

And Sylvia Day said, "Steeped in dark dangers and blistering sensuality, Annwyn is a world not to be missed. Renwick Rocks!"

Okay, swallowing back the emotion. I'm so grateful that two authors whom I really love to read, and respect so much for their art had those nice things to say about my writing, and that surely assed, Bran!!!

Wow, can't believe he'll be out for all you guys to fondle in a little over a month!!!!

Be well.

Idle Hands...

It's amazing the sort of fodder that can run through one's mind while idling away the hours on the couch. I've spent the last four days doing just that, lounging, reading, watching movies...thinking. Always dangerous thinking. At least for me. YOu see, a writer's mind is never still. It is always churning, formulating, thinking....at least mine is. I'm either highly creative or I have ADHD! lol!

My four day sabbatical was rather rejuvenating, despite the nosebleeds and headaches that came along with this illness! Most inspiring was a documentary I watched on BBC Canada about the Celts. Fascinating stuff, and they talked in depth about the kind of warriors the men were, and how they revered their females. Did you know, that way back when the Celts roamed Britain, that when a woman came to her marriage with money and lands that she kept them?! I mean, this is HUGE! Another fascinating detail was the expose the documentary went into about the how the Celts worshipped not only the moon and sun but the seasons and well. They talked about the great hunt, and the great marriage, and that immediately sparked a very naughty scene in my mind. I jotted it down and thoughtit perfect for Vanity's book. Those Fey princes are perfectly naughty!!!

I also came up with an idea for a new series--a straight historical series that I'd like to pitch to HQN once the as yet un-named trilogy is nearing completion. Amazing that I could still think while whining on the couch!




Also while lounging on my sickbed, I felt this overwhelming need to get back to England. I need research! I need creative visuals! One place I must get to (and I've never been despite numerous tripsto England) is Glastonbury Tor. So much fascinating information to be had there. It's reported that this was once the Island of Avalon, also, home to King Arthur's Camelot. It's also purported to be a Faery Mound. Whatever it is, I have to get there! It feels mystical and some place where I could sit with my notebook and pen and jot down pages and pages of inspiring description.

That led me to think of money...writing conferencesvs. research trip. What is in my best interests? This corrundrum made me question numerous things involved in marketing a book. It made me think back to the days when I didn't go to the net for books and to look up hors. And then I had a bit of a panic when I realized that I didn't know how I bought books before the internet and blogging and RT Magazine. Good Lord, I suppose I just went to the bookstore and started pulling out books. If I liked the cover I flipped it over to the back cover copy. If I liked the sounds of the plot,I skimmed a bit of the writing, deciding if I liked it. Is so, I bought it. If I loved it, I immediately bought the author's entire back list. This is how I discovered Stephanie Laurens, Mary Balogh, Julie Garwood and Amanda Quick.

So, this has been a very long rambling post (remember, idle hands, idle mind!) and I wantd to ask you how you buy your books. Before blogging, how did we find our romances?

Because tomorrow is Wednesday, and it's hump day, here's a hunk for you!!!
This is Irian, the Fey Prince of Sloth...I could totally stay in bed with him for four days!

This Is Me...

Blech. I woke up this morning with a hell of a headache. Thought it was caffeine withdrawl, and it ended up being the beginning of a sinus headache. Now my throat hurts, I'm coughing, and I'm starting with the shakes. Boooo!!!

So, hubby is taking over dinner for me...chicken strips and fries--his speciality! And I'm heading for the couch with my special blankie, a steaming hot toddy (hubby makes the best toddies!) and a good book.

When I'm sick, I don't like to start a new book, instead, I reach for a comfort read. Tonight, I feel like some Lisa Kleypas. I know it'll depress me because when I grow up, I want to write as good as she does! :)

So, I went upstairs to my study to the keeper shelf and placed my fingers on the spines of my Lisa K books and closed my eyes, letting my fingers do the choosing. Index finger landed on Tempt Me At Midnight! Oh, goodie. I love me some Harry and Poppy. I really adore Harry's character in this novel, as well, I love all the Hathaway's. I'm so eager for Leo's book. I know it's going to be nice and emotional. And Beatrix's should be really sweet. I wonder who her hero will be. Anyone know?

Well...I'm off to snuggle up and feel better.
So, who or what is your comfort read?

Pure Bliss

Okay, I promised that if the dessert I was making the other night was good, I'd post the recipe. Well...it was decadent, and I loved it, so did the hubby and the kidlet. I'm actually going to make it again this weekend for my family when they come for Sunday dinner.

I found this recipe in the Feb 2010 issue of Rachel Ray's Everyday. I really like her, and like the magazine as well. I cook alot of her dishes, and my family really loves them. So, without further ado.....here's

S'MORES LAVA CAKES

1 stick (4oz) of unsalted butter, plus more greasing
1/4 cup of sugar, plus more for coating
4 ounces of bittersweet chocolate, chopped
2 large egss, plus 2 large yolks, at room temperature
1 tablespoon flour
3 tablespoons heavy cream
2/3 cup marshmallow cream
1 graha;m cracker cheet (2 squares), finely chopped. (instead, I used a homemade choclate chip cookie that was nice and soft)

Preheat oven to 425.

Grease four 6 ounces custard cups or ramekins, then coat with sugar

place on a baking sheet

In a medium bowl, whisk together the eggs, egg yolks and sugar until foamy. Whisk in the chocolate mixture, then the flour.

Fill the prepared cups 2/3 full with the batter.

Bake until the edges are puffy (13-15 mins)

Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, microwave the heavy cream at high power for 30 secs. Stir in marshmallow cream until smooth

Carefully invert cakes onto plates and drizzle the marshmallow sauce on the side, top with graham cracker crumbs. (instead, I place the cookie on the plate, then inverted the lava cake so the cookie got nice and soft with the heat of the cake.


Mmmmm, this was so good, easy, and really quite elegant looking. Easy to make for company and romantic to share for Valentine's Day!!!

Enjoy!
And happy hump day! Oh, and I'm blogging today over at Lust In Time!

Good News!

The Romance Studio has nominated Addicted for a Cappa in their erotic historical romance category!!! Cool beans!!! I'm really fortunate, and tickled pink by the great response this book has gotten.

In other news...just finished writing a scene where Lust and Gluttony have a heated tete a tete about Glusttony's appetite for all things he shouldn't consume...namely Lust's heroine! ;)

I was at a bit of a roadblock with this book, but this new scene has opened the creative gates! It's good to be back!!!

I'm also making a treat for dessert tonight for the hubby and kidlet. If it's good, I'll share the recipe!

Happy Monday!

News!!! And Got Men Contest!!!

Hey! How's everybody doing? I hope 2010 is treating you right and that you've all recovered from the holidays!

I'm busy writing--the Fey Princes. Lust is behaving just as he should; Lusty! He's alot of fun to write, and I've enjoyed getting to discover the other six sinful princes. Two of them have really captured my imagination--Envy and Gluttony! Gluttony, he's a total hedonist. I had toyed with the idea of calling him Avarice, because I wasn't sure what readers would think of the word gluttony. I didn't want them think of a fat, pompous princeling. But you know, gluttony totally fits him, and I might just keep him the Harbinger of Gluttony! (wait till you see the inspiration for him!)

So, I've been busy with the sins, and also with trying to come up with a trilogy name and a new title for the three book deal with Harlequin's HQN line. Right now, titles are up in the air, but we're thinking of 'Seduce Me With Words'. The heroine is a Victorian Lady Novelist, and she really does seduce the hero with her story. Any thoughts? Suggestions? The name we're leaning to for the trilogy is Brethren Guardians. Not sure if it would be 'A Brethren Guardian Novel' or something like Book One of the Brethren Guardians.

I'm completely lame with titles!!!!

So, other than writing, I've been slavering over these pictures you guys sent me. WOW!!!! I had no idea it would so damn hard to pick a winner. I do have a winner, but I feel compelled to offer a conciliatory prize for all the hard work you guys did sending me all those hunks.

Well, without prolonging the agony, I'd like to introduce you to the Fey Prince of Gluttony (formally known as Avarice) This guy has it all. I can totally picture him in some opulent room with decadent pillows and cushions, while dining on aphrodisiacs and women! What do you think?




Thank you to Ms. Moonlight who provided this most inspiring picture! You've won a $25Amazon gift certificate. Congrats!!!

Now, to the other prize. Whoever is the first to email me at charlotte@charlottefeatherstone.net can have a book of your choosing. ALSO, since Velvet Haven is only a short six weeks away, you can opt to choose it, as long as you know you might have to wait a few weeks to get it (author copies have not yet arrived--but soon they'll be here) The only caveat is, you must have sent me pics for the Got Men contest...and ahem...I know who you are, so no cheating.

Okay, so these are the books: Charlotte's--Addicted, Naughty Bits, Winter's Desire or Sophie's: Hot In Here, A Highlander Christmas, or...Velvet Haven.

Ready....Set....GO!!!!!!!!!!!
And Ms. Moonlight, please email me at charlotte@charlottefeatherstone.net and we'll get the ball rolling on the gift certicate!

Happy Thursday everyone!