Every breath I take

When I first saw this photo it was like I could hear his breaths inside my head. Beautiful.

Ass kicking

Unless you're part of a writing team, putting words to paper is, for the most part, a solitary endeavor and sometimes one that just ain't workin'. The Muse left the building. The train of thought derailed into the Nothing. Characters stand around in the corners of your mind shuffling their feet, flipping you the bird, and calling you a fucking loser. [nodding] Yep, you know exactly what I'm talking about.

It's times like these that I rely on my comrades in ink. Sometimes it's enough just to wander to their blogs, see what's going on. Other times a more immediate response is needed, so a WiD (Writer in Distress) text, email, or phone call goes out. Two of my regular Keepers of the Sanity Keys are Jasmine Haynes and VJ Summers. I admit wholeheartedly that they have dragged me from the very edge on many occasions. It was not a pretty sight. Thank you so much! *mwah* I never underestimate the importance of a venting session.

There are times though when venting just isn't going to do it. Nope, some days call for more drastic measures to be taken. Those times call for a good old-fashioned, honest to god ass-whooping. Now I'm not talking about a little slap on the hand or even a firm twisting of the ear to drag your wayward characters back into the thick of things. No, no, no, my friend. I'm talking about throwing them out through the double-pane window into the backyard and kicking the living hell out of the them. I'll admit, these are probably not scenes that will ever cross an editor's desktop. That's okay. Sometimes just having a few characters bloodied and beaten for a page is all it takes to carry on. 

[looking around]

You seen my baseball bat?

(And for the record, a search of "sexy baseball guy" garners an incredibly fucked up collection of photos that I'll probably never be able to bleach from my brain. And "bloody baseball bat" offered up just as many, though they were disturbing for reasons that should have kept me from doing the damn search in the first place.)

Missed a spot

There's an earthy sexiness to working up a down and dirty sweat, but there's absolutely nothing wrong with wanting everything all squeaky clean sometimes, too.

Soap slicked hands. Steamy heated flesh. *mmm-hmmm* I'm not going to say that showering with a lover helps to conserve water, but clean up sure doesn't get much easier.

Come ...

"Come for me ... now!"

There's something incredibly erotic about trusting your pleasure to someone else's control.

In the works

Yes, it's been a while.

After an interesting year of wild leaps and new adventures -- not the least of which was starting a company with my hubby, working hard and seeing it grow, I am happy to whisper (for fear of scaring off the somewhat timid of late Muse) that there are several projects in the final stages that will (hopefully) be completed soon.

Of course, there's Tattered Hearts, Book 2 in the Vintage Love series. Here we find Eric and Stella figuring out that to heal the adult pain they experienced while young lovers, they're going to have to meet it head on as adults. Together. The other VL stories are in progress, as well ... meaning they each have a OneNote tab designated for them and details are entered there regularly. The VL series will go like this: #1 Hearts A Plenty (currently available through my website), #2 Tattered Hearts, #3 Salvage My Heart (feat. Frank & Lydia), and #4 Reclaim Her Heart (feat. Charlie, Gabe, and Quinn).

I'm also working on a collection of short stories called Bedtime Stories: Erotic Retellings of Classic Rhymes. I'm hoping for at least two volumes, each including 3-5 stories.

YAY!!

While things are still quite chaotic, I am SO happy to be back at the keyboard doing what I love.

Friday "Fun" Photos ... debut

Since FB gave me a slap on the ass for disobeying, I will share the delicious photos here instead ... beginning with the one that got yanked which I captioned: "Taxi!!"

What could possibly be wrong with this photo? Honestly, it makes me want to hop in the backseat of a car right now.

Toy boxes for big girls

When we were kids, we were taught to play nice with our toys and take care of them. Only then would they give us endless pleasure. [Or something along those lines, but I'm getting ahead of myself.] Okay, so maybe the Holly Hobbie playhouse and Spirograph didn't get the respect due them, but the lesson still holds true.

Do you have a "toy box" for all your adult toys? A bag, drawer, or chest filled with a variety of sexy products designed specifically to enhance yours and your lover's pleasure? What kinds of things does it contain? Here are just a few of the basics that no toy box should be without.

• Quality vibrator.

Not necessarily a vibrating dildo, but something that can be settled against your clit during intercourse. Let's be honest, even the most enthusiastic lover's fingers can get tired. And oral -- while absolutely wonderful -- isn't possible during intercourse ... unless, of course, you're in the enviable position of being part of a threesome. But then that's a topic for another blog entirely. *grin*

• Dildos

Yes, that's plural. You need more than one. Why? you ask. Because you do. Variety is the spice of life ... and sex.

• Lubricants

Skin to skin (or condom) friction is definitely a mood killer. There's no reason to be frustrated, when the solution is such a simple fix. JO Brand is a personal favorite, but whatever you choose, I recommend having two types readily available.

Silicone-based lubricants are a great all-purpose lube, whether easing the way for vaginal sex or letting your fingers do the walking and giving him a hand job that will short circuit his brain. (The JO Brand also is fragrance-free and relatively taste-free, in case you're interested in giving more than a handjob. *wink* )

Water-based lubes are for use with silicone toys. (Silicone-based lubricants tend to break down the material of silicone toys. This can get expensive, because toys aren't cheap. S+S=Super Sad.) Thicker water-based lubricants are also great when engaging in any type of anal play, as they tend to stay in place longer for the typically slower pace of this activity.

Try different brands, types, flavors ... the list is endless. Lubricant can make or break a mind-numbing sexual experience. Experiment and find the ones that work best for you and your partner.

• Other invaluable tools

First, an open mind ... there's absolutely nothing wrong with giving and receiving pleasure in all its various forms when the parties involved are willing. Another thing is your voice ... talk to your lover while having sex. It may surprise you how much this turns both of you on. And lastly, a sense of adventure ... above all else, sex should be fun!

Remember to clean your toys after each use and store them properly for the next time. Keep your toy box neat and handy for that next "play date" with your lover, or even on your own. There's nothing wrong with "playing quietly by [with] yourself."