Artist: Kim Brill

This is a beautiful glass screen called Apologies to FLW by Kim Brill 36"x48". FLW is Frank Lloyd Wright, one of my favorite architects. I'm not sure why she's apologizing to him. I think this work is gorgeous. Of course, I'd be terrified to have it in my house for fear of it falling over and breaking.

Any comments made between now and the end of the month enter you to win this Italian charm bracelet with a special dragon charm to commemorate JIN-HAKKU's release. :) Winner to be announced Dec. 1. (Sorry about the crappy picture.)

SECRETS OF JIN HAKKU :: Today's the Day

What the heck are you doing here? You should be HERE, buying my book. LMAO. Just kidding.

At long last, my fourth Ellora's Cave release is out. :) I am anxious to see how it sells, since it's my first menage story, and curious to see how readers react to the unusual (but still very happy!) ending.

Read the public excerpt here to answer today's question.

Today's Question: Kai offered Joran a choice of lemon grass, star amber, or jasmine oil to use on Hana. He chose star amber, a scent I made up. Heh heh. But even not knowing how that smells, which of the three would you choose?

Any comments made between now and the end of the month enter you to win this Italian charm bracelet with a special dragon charm to commemorate JIN-HAKKU's release. :) Winner to be announced Dec. 1. (Sorry about the crappy picture.)

SECRETS OF THE JIN-HAKKU :: An All-Time High

If you didn't already know, my newest release, SECRETS OF THE JIN-HAKKU, comes out tomorrow! (Squeeee!!!!) This is the fourth of five posts about it.

I always like to calculate the amount of sex I have in my stories, just out of curiosity, and this book gets the prize.

Sex scenes: 5

Shortest sex scene: 919 words

Longest sex scene: 4228 words (OMG. That's enormous, but it has three parts, so I hope it isn't tedious.)

Sex percentage: 45%!!

Today's Question: Have you read books that have too much sex?

Any comments made between now and the end of the month enter you to win this Italian charm bracelet with a special dragon charm to commemorate JIN-HAKKU's release. :) Winner to be announced Dec. 1. (Sorry about the crappy picture.)

SECRETS OF JIN HAKKU :: The Shinwa Culture

This marks the third of five blog posts about my newest release SECRETS OF THE JIN-HAKKU, coming out on Wednesday!

I had long wanted to write a menage story, but was always stymied by how to create a happily-ever-after without jettisoning the third guy at the end. Of course, there are menage stories written where all three remain together, but this is one area where I have trouble separating our real world from the fictional. I have a thing about giving kids two daddies and a mommy, full time. (Not to be confused with step-daddies and/or divorced daddies.)

So, I created a world in which triads are the norm. I even went a step further and made it physiologically impossible for them to reproduce without two males and one female. Building this world turned out to be so much fun. My crazy brain kept coming up with idea after idea, and I felt a bit of nostalgia for the days when I read science fiction and fantasy almost exclusively. So, I thought I'd present a few of the words I had to make up.

budo - a form of martial arts

kachi - pussy (not the cat!)


konsu - an instrument used in anal play

omaka - a tub used only for soaking

sansou - a flowering plant with a prickly stem

sakei - the very deep sleep that occurs when a woman fails to become pregnant, normally only a few hours.

sakei-ma - the more serious consequence of continued infertility, during which the woman body shuts down almost completely to survive on body fat.

sakei-ma-sa - the most extreme stage of non-pregnancy. To say more would be a spoiler. :)

suki/suko - a term of endearment

tama gi - a high class prostitute

tingtze berries - named for their peppery sweet flavor

yumata - robes worn in days gone by whose fabrics, colors and/or knotted sashes depended on the activity.

I hope this whets your appetite to read the book, which comes out on the 26th!!

Today's question: The Shinwa people love to bathe. Do you prefer to take baths or showers?

Any comments made between now and the end of the month enter you to win this Italian charm bracelet with a special dragon charm to commemorate JIN-HAKKU's release. :) Winner to be announced Dec. 1. (Sorry about the crappy picture.)

SECRETS OF THE JIN-HAKKU :: Mysterious Kisses

Today I'm abandoning my usual Friday art offering in order to give you a small snippet from the book, different from the one that will appear on the Ellora's Cave website. I hope you enjoy it.

“Who will be first to taste your lips, Imperial Highness?” Kai asked, his eyes smoldering with frank desire. His costume consisted of the black dragon wings, headdress, and tight-fitting trousers, leaving his battle-scarred torso bare, except for the straps for his wings. This had caused quite a stir among the female guests, Hana included. While she shuddered to think about the horrific wounds that had caused them, his scars honed his masculinity to a keen edge.

“I don’t know. I don’t think I can choose,” she answered honestly.

“Let us choose then,” Joran said in a silky voice. “Close your eyes, suki. We’ll kiss you one at a time and when we’re finished, you tell us who went first.”

With a deep breath, Hana let her eyes fall shut. “Very well.”

There was rustling as they shifted positions and gently spun her around to disorient her. When at last they all stood still, her entire body hummed with anticipation. The music and chatter from outside in the grand ballroom seemed muted as she waited breathlessly for the first touch of someone’s mouth. But instead, the first thing she felt was a warm hand on her cheek, a thumb stroking softly, like a brush of a flower petal. She sighed. Someone moved behind her. She could feel his body heat through the fabric of her gown. He stood close, but not close enough to touch. Yet.

The man in front of her cupped both cheeks and stroked her lips with his thumbs, outlined her mouth. Expectation gripped her so completely she felt as if her life had come to a halt and that nothing could happen to her until he kissed her.

She smelled cinnamon on his breath as he brought his face closer and whispered, “Do you know how long we’ve wanted to do this?”

“No,” she breathed.

“Since we first met,” came the reply. “Not a night goes by that we are not hard from thinking about you.”

Their soft, growling whispers were impossible to recognize.

“You inhabit our dreams,” said the one behind her, “always out of reach.” Warm breath tickled the hairs on her neck. She felt something brush against her bottom, then her breasts, but so lightly she might have imagined it.

“But no matter how many times we find our relief without you, we are never satisfied.”

Hana took in a ragged breath, picturing that in her mind—the two of them, holding their erect cocks in their hands, stroking as they fantasized about her, groaning in frustration even as they climaxed.

Her breath came faster. “Then end it. Kiss me now.”

Today's Question: Have you ever played a kissing game, like Spin the Bottle or the like?

Any comments made between now and the end of the month enter you to win this Italian charm bracelet with a special dragon charm to commemorate JIN-HAKKU's release. :) Winner to be announced Dec. 1. (Sorry about the crappy picture.)

SECRETS OF JIN HAKKU Thursday 3: Three to Tango

There's a popular meme called Thursday 13 in which every Thursday you make a list of thirteen things. I did this for a few months, but I don't have time for thirteen! So, I whittled it down to Thursday 3.

Whenever I have a new release, I traditionally celebrate by dedicating a week's worth of blogging to that book. This post marks the first of five about SECRETS OF THE JIN-HAKKU, which comes out on November 26!

JIN-HAKKU is a menage story. So to start things off I thought I'd post three menage images.

This is probably from a Greek piece of pottery. My friend, Evie Byrne, would be able to tell you much more about this. Maybe she'll pop in and comment. I chose this image because in JIN-HAKKU, Hana gets to enjoy this position with her conjugal pair, Kai and Joran, however, in my book the heftiness of the figures is reversed. This Greek woman is Amazonian compared to Hana!

Here's another menage image. This one made me chuckle. Cats gang-banging. Who knew?

Lastly is a Photoshopped image of me a friend made as a joke. Check out that rack! My chest has never looked that...prominent. Those things look like they could break a window.

Today's Question: Who do you like better? Pitt or Damon?

Any comments made between now and the end of the month enter you to win this Italian charm bracelet with a special dragon charm to commemorate JIN-HAKKU's release. :) Winner to be announced Dec. 1. (Sorry about the crappy picture.)

Quote: Going For It

The enemy of the 'best' is often the 'good.'

--Stephen Covey

Name that Movie #1

"That's funny. Wasn't he pointing the other way?"

Two Choices #2

Flan or Creme brulee?

Last night my son and I made flan for the first time. He's taking Spanish this year in high school and the assignment was to create a menu, all in Spanish, cook one of the dishes, and bring it in to share with the class. We discovered that both flan (creme caramel) and creme brulee are from France. The only real difference is that in flan, the sugar top is gooey and on creme brulee, it's crunchy.

So which do you prefer? I like creme brulee better. I the burnt sugar flavor is more intense.

Artist: Dante Gabriel Rossetti (1828-1882)

Welcome to another Art Friday on my blog. I discovered Dante Gabriel Rossetti when I was blogging about Patrick Reynolds a couple of weeks ago. Reynolds considers himself a modern day Pre-Raphaelite. Rossetti co-founded the original Pre-Raphaelites, a group of English painters and poets who hoped to bring to their art the richness and purity of the medieval period.

However, when I looked at some of Rossetti's work, I couldn't help but think of that song lyric, "Dude looks like a lady," except in Rossetti's case, it's the opposite. These ladies look like dudes! (Right: "The Bower Meadow, 1872. Left: The Blue Bower) I mean, check out the shoulders on that chick in the background dancing. Seriously!

Anyway, have a great weekend.

Twelve days until the release of SECRETS OF THE JIN-HAKKU!

Thursday 3: Geek Gifts

There's a popular meme called Thursday 13 in which every Thursday you make a list of thirteen things. I did this for a few months, but I don't have time for thirteen! So, I whittled it down to Thursday 3.

I love ThinkGeek.com and, for the past few years, bought stuff for my kids here for Christmas. Here are three items that I liked, but won't be buying. Fun stuff, though!!!

This first one is an action figure of the Alien. And get this! There's a little lever to make his teeth extend and retract! Isn't that hilarious?

Next is a training kit for your goldfish. If you click here, you can see an amazing video of a fish trained using this kit! I'd be tempted to try this, but I don't really want to have to take care of another pet.

Last is a goofy edamame keychain. You squeeze it and the little bean pops in and out. The middle bean has one of twelve random faces on it.

Pen #6: Stealth Writing

This is the latest in a series of posts about pens. I'm a pen freak. I can't afford most of the pens I'll be blogging about, but a girl can dream, can't she?

Since I completely neglected to do something Veteran's Day related on the blog yesterday, I'm doing something today.

First, I offer my sincere gratitude to all those men and women who are or have served in the military. Your sacrifices, large and small, are deeply appreciated.

Today I'm featuring a pen that the hero of my work-in-progress might use himself. Here's some info about it from the Great Outdoors website.

The pen of choice for Special Forces, Navy Seals, Delta Forces, Airborne Rangers and more! Matte black so it won't reflect light, this action pen pen is the ultimate writing utility for adverse conditions. Integrated clip secures pen in pocket or on gear straps.

These pens write upside down, right side up, under water, over grease and on photographs. They were originally developed for use by the astronauts - It's the only pen that will work in the feezing cold, boiling heat, gravity free void of space.

This pen has a shelf life of A CENTURY. So far, it's the cheapest pen I've featured on the blog, going for a mere $12.99!

Two Choices #1

Gone with the Wind or Sound of Music?

Tough choice for me. GWTW has the great costumes and Clark Gable. I was in love with Mr. Gable in my teen years. I read many biographies and thrilled that I lived only a mile away from where he used to live in the San Fernando Valley. But I didn't like the way the movie (or the book) ended. No one was happy. What a downer.

On the other hand, Sound of Music has that wonderful music. I so wanted to be Liesl when I was younger. She was beautiful, could sing, and lived on a beautiful estate. Too bad she had crappy taste in men.

Untimately, I have to choose The Sound of Music. What's your choice?

Quote: Enjoy your Food

What some call health, if purchased by perpetual anxiety about diet, isn't much better than tedious disease.

--George Dennison Prentice

I think the media programs us to worry about diet more than we need to. Everything in moderation. That's what I believe. However, moderate portion size is something I constantly struggle with. How about you? What is your diet challenge?

Artist: Andrew McClenahan

TGIAF! (Thank God It's Art Friday). A few weeks ago, I featured the art of Grant Wood (1891-1942) and said that one of his paintings, Young Corn (right), had a special significance for me. Today I'm revealing what that significance is!



Drum roll, please...



My very, very talented brother-in-law, Andrew McClenahan, has painted several murals, one of which is an homage to Young Corn. Isn't it gorgeous? The colors are so vivid. It's even more amazing because you can clearly see he painted right over a door!


Here are pictures of some of his other murals. I am in awe of his ability. The man could make some serious money illustrating children's books or painting murals in people's homes. Right now he's an art teacher at a private school, but that's a good fit for him too. He has a great rapport with kids.

It must be really cool to have hands that can do stuff like this. Enjoy these and enjoy your weekend!

Thursday 3: Gobble Gobble These

There's a popular meme called Thursday 13 in which every Thursday you make a list of thirteen things. I did this for a few months, but I don't have time for thirteen! So, I whittled it down to Thursday 3.

Ah, it's November. Before you know it Thanksgiving will be here. Here are three yummy and cute alternatives to pumpkin pie.

This one has a tiny replica of a turkey dinner on it. You can even make these yourself. Here's the recipe!









This one looks more elegant. Here is that recipe.








Finally, here's a cute one. Grab that candy corn now while it's still in the stores. Here's the recipe for this one from Family Fun.

Pen #5: E = MC Squared

This is the latest in a series of posts about pens. I'm a pen freak. I can't afford most of the pens I'll be blogging about, but a girl can dream, can't she?

I keep being surprised by the pens I find. This one is a tribute to Albert Einstein. Each pen has a unique single character from one of Einstein's authentic handwritten formulas on the cap and his signature is sculpted into the band at the base of the cap. There were only 288 of them made.

So, guess how much this puppy goes for! Go on. I dare ya. If you're curious, check it out here.

Caption Challenge

I decided it was time to do Manly Thoughts. My friend Anna does it SO much better than I do, but I love her Man Meat Monday feature so much that I copy it shamelessly every once in a while. So, trolling for photos, I found this and came up with two captions that I liked, but then thought it might be fun to challenge you to come up with something funny. My ideas are in the comment section.

Goodbye Cookies

Alas, bad news. Mother's Cookies are no more. They've closed their doors forever. When I was pregnant with my first baby, I used to eat their white chocolate chip cookies every night with milk, reasoning I was drinking milk so that made it okay. They haven't made those cookies in a while, but now they're not going to be making any cookies at all. I am sad. I will miss seeing those purple and pink packages on the shelves.

Did you like Mother's Cookies?

Liquid Silver Halloween winners

I don't usually post on Sunday, but I wanted to announce the winners of the Liquid Silver Eye Candy Trick or Treating event.

The GRAND PRIZE WINNER of the whole thing was Dani K. I believe she's getting a book from each of the participating authors! Way to go, Dani K!

I also held a contest in which one lucky commenter would win any two of my books, and that person is icia! Congratulations!

So, what I need from you ladies is your email address and the format you'd like your e-book in. Dani K can choose one book. Icia, you get two!