Tuesday, April 30, 2013

The Cover Faery!!

I asked Marteeka Karland to help me out. I needed a Cover Faery. Yep. One that's mine (and Megan's) all mine. She came through like a champ. What do you think? I love it!


Monday, April 29, 2013

Race Quotes of the Week!

I'm trying to get better at remembering to post. I really am. I was going so well there for so long... Life happened. Oh well. Here are the quotes! Richmond was a font of great stuff!!

"...loose off the right corner..."
Well, someone help him get it straightened out!

"...wheel spin..."
AKA: frustration!

"...got a bad rub..."
Someone's having a bad day.

"...right rear all used up..."
Where are the second string!!!

"...right early in the run..."
Then get that second string in there!

"...that little team is pumped up..."
They took their little blue pills today!

"...the team is responding likewise..."
They took their pills, too!

And the DOOZY of the WEEK is...

"...two by two back to thirteenth..."
Sounds fun!

Enjoy!!!


Wednesday, April 17, 2013

Shadows Across the Liffey with Cathy Mansell


I had already written my second book, Her Father’s Daughter when the idea
came to write Shadow Across the Liffey. The title came half way through
the writing and only after a lot of deliberating.

Shadow Across the Liffey closely explores my affinities with Dublin and Leicester, two cities that are close to my heart. Therefore, I felt compelled
to set the book in both cities because Dublin, is the land of my birth and Leicester is where I emigrated to 50 years ago. I now reside in rural Leicestershire in the lovely village of Ashby Magna with my  husband and family, surrounded by farm animals and fields.

A small part of the story is borne out of my own early experience of widowhood, alongside the trials of bringing up a family as a lone parent in the 70’s. The loneliness that comes with it, and then finding love again as Oona does, with my husband Dennis, of 37 years and my most ardent supporter.

Other characters, such as Sean, Oona’s son, and villain, Vinnie Kelly are completely fictitious, and strangely enough, the two characters I enjoyed writing about most.

• Describe your writing space –I love my garret. It’s where I feel most creative. When my husband retired as a architect, he lined the walls,fitted a carpet and put in a velux window and he said “This is going to be my studio” He furnished it with a desk and a drawing board.

But, I’m glad to say that my passion to write was greater than his desire to draw, so the garret became mine. And I’ve made it my own for the past 15 years.

The best thing is, that I don’t get too many interuptions because no one likes climbing the access ladder. It also keeps the smaller grandchildren downstairs but not so, the older ones who love to clamber up to see what Nan is doing.

There is a wonderful view from the window overlooking our long garden and the fields beyond where sheep are usually grazing. Lovely in summer and pretty in winter when snow has fallen covering the trees and
fields.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~



SHADOW ACROSS THE LIFFEY
Cathy Mansell



Dublin City, 25th March 1961

Sergeant McNally would never forget the pink icing sugar. It was the worst accident he had witnessed in the twenty years since he first joined the Gardá Síochaná. If his doctor hadn’t suggested walking as a healthy exercise, he would have taken the car and avoided Dock Road that day.
Most collisions just happen; usually during bad weather, when cars slide into one another. That wasn’t the case here. It was dry, with a clear sky – ideal for a brisk walk. This was no accident. It appeared to him that the driver of the van, travelling from the docks at speed on the wrong side of the road, was intent on killing himself and anyone else he could take with him.
The van hit the black Morris Minor, the force sending the car spinning out of control into the path of oncoming traffic. Then all McNally could hear was the sound of crunching metal as the car collided with other vehicles causing a pile-up. The van overturned several times, while the car ended up on its side. 
‘Good God!’ He was stunned at the magnitude of the scene as it unfolded before his eyes. Children cried; people screamed out for help.
***
McNally acted as fast as he could, alerting the ambulance services and relaying news of the crash to his colleagues at the station.
An eerie silence descended. Eyewitnesses looked at the pile-up in horror, and the Dublin street came to a standstill. Car doors opened and those uninjured scrambled out. Some, bleeding from cuts and bruises, stood around in a daze.
‘Help’s on its way!’ McNally shouted.
‘Over here!’ a man cried. ‘The van driver’s dead. Can someone check for injuries in the other cars?’
‘I’m a doctor!’ someone else called. ‘This one’s bad. The man at the wheel is dead.’
McNally climbed on top of what had once been a Morris Minor, but which now resembled a mound of compressed metal, and peered inside. Pink icing sugar splattered the shattered windscreen. ‘God Almighty!’ he cried. ‘There’s a child trapped in the back. I can see a tiny hand. Glory be to God!

***
Oona and her sister laughed as they blew up coloured balloons for Jacqueline’s fifth birthday party, placing them prettily around the room.
‘This is hard work.’ Sighing, Oona hooked her long dark hair behind her ears. ‘I wish I’d asked Eamon to do all this and gone to fetch the birthday cake myself.’
‘Oh, yes. Can you see our men making fairy cakes and arranging a table as pretty as this one?’ Connie was perched at the top of the stepladder, tying pink balloons around the lampshade above the party table.
‘Give over!’ Oona handed her another balloon. ‘Eamon wouldn’t have a clue how to bake a cake.’
Oona Quinn was twenty-six, two years younger than her sister, and as dark as Connie was fair. A petite five feet two inches, with dark brown eyes and small slender hands, she worked part-time in a shipping office. Her husband had wanted her to be a stay-at-home mum, but she had won him round by telling him that it gave her a sense of importance to be contributing to the family income.
‘Have you tried Mam’s new teacake recipe yet?’ Connie asked.
‘Is it good?’
‘Well, Dessie loves it. You soak the fruit overnight in cold tea. I’ll bring you some over next time I bake one.’
‘All this talk of food’s making me hungry.’ Oona clutched her stomach. ‘Let’s have a cup of tea and then we can finish blowing up the rest of the balloons.’
‘I’d love a cup.’ Connie stepped down from the ladder and followed her into the kitchen. ‘Eamon’s done a grand job on the extension.’ She glanced around at the spacious kitchen with new Formica work surfaces and red cupboards.
Connie, a hairdresser, had been married to Dessie Flanagan for ten years, but they had no family. It made Oona realise how lucky she was to have two healthy children.
‘It’s made such a difference. Although it has taken up most of the back garden, I’d rather have the space inside. More room for the kids.’ Marriage and children were all Oona had ever dreamt of, and after two years of being a single mother and all the heartache that came with it, she had married Eamon. He earned a good wage working for the Dublin Gas Company and, since the birth of Jacqueline five years ago, she’d felt complete.

Buy links:


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~



Cathy Mansell
Member of

Leicester Writers’ Club, Just Write workshop, Life President of Lutterworth Writers’ Group, Member
NAWG, Member Romantic Novelist Association and past president of Riverside Speakers club.

Cathy is an experienced writer of romantic fiction. Her early work was
competition short stories and articles published in national magazines. She was
Editor in Chief of the Leicestershire Anthology, ‘Taking Off’, a book promoted
and supported by Arts Council UK.

In recent times, Cathy has turned to writing full-length novels that are set in
Ireland/England. Her debut book Shadow Across the Liffey was published on
7th February 2013 by Tirgearr Publishing. She was a recent contestant on the
TV show Food Glorious Food to be broadcast on 27th February 2013

cathy.ashbymagna@zen.co.uk
www.cathymansell.com
www.facebook.com/cathy.mansell4
twitter.@cathymansell3
www.linkedin.com/pub/cathy-mansell/46/B50/550

Buy links:
www.tirgearrpublishing.com
www.amazon.co.uk
www.amazon.com
www.amazon.com/tirgearrpublishing

Tuesday, April 16, 2013

Hump Day Humps ~ Drizzle Me in Chocolate!

Click here for more humps!
Available here!
It's time for the Hump Day Humps!! Woo Hoo!! Here's mine from my short story in the Smut for Chocoholics Anthology, Drizzle Me in Chocolate. Enjoy! And don't forget to check out the other humps!


Chocolate might not last forever, but love does. 
Elysa agreed to model chocolate, but she never imagined she’d be faced with her past. Simon Dumont playboy, millionaire and her one weakness. Can she get through the shoot with her pride intact, or is he worth losing her heart all over again? 
Simon knew damn well who he wanted for those pictures. Only one woman could embody the sensuality needed to sell his exotic chocolates and chocolate inspired sex toys. Elysa Green. He’s not about to be denied a second time. Can the Casanova of Chocolates prove he’s the one man to make her happy or will their smouldering passion consume them before love strikes a second time?

Available here!

And now for that hump!


Simon stood and whisked her off the chaise lounge. She’d walked out of his life before and without much explanation. Part of him wanted her to rebuke him, but the rest of him craved her. Elysa Green affected him much like the chocolateone taste wasn’t enough.
“Finish the shoot, then we can play.” He placed the square of chocolate on her tongue. “We’ve got all night.”
Her eyes rolled back in her head and she moaned again. She chewed in deliberate motions, licking her lips. Her cheeks infused with a beautiful shade of pink.
“Don’t know if I can wait that long.”
“You will.” He wrapped one arm around her. “Remember our games?”
“How could I forget?” Her blush deepened.
“The other half of the shoot involves the games we played and showcasing the more decadent, sexual side of my chocolate business. I’m just watchingyou’re modelling the items.” He rubbed his cock between her thighs, reminding her how much he wanted her. “All of them.”
Elysa opened her mouth, but instead of saying anything she rose up on her toes and kissed him. The connection seared him to the core. A touch of the chocolate remained on her lips. He curled his other arm around her waist and smoothed his left hand up to the base of her neck. Elysa moaned and writhed against his chest. Yes, this was what he missed. She came alive in his embrace and pushed him to want more from her. He threaded his fingers into her hair and tugged, breaking the kiss and exposing her neck to his appraisal.
“Whatever you want from me, I’m yours,” she murmured. Her skirt shifted high on her hips, exposing her ass and the tiny thong she wore.
“Fuck.” Simon walked her backwards to the chaise and eased her onto the butter soft leather surface. Her hair fanned out around her face like a caramel wave and she puckered her kiss swollen lips. He didn’t bother to move the skirt, but rather shifted the panties aside. Her scent, flowery perfume and musk drifted up to him. His mouth watered.
“Take me, Simon.”  She opened her legs and dragged two fingers down her pussy lips. Her juices glittered in the harsh lighting.
He shouldn’t want her. Shouldn’t fuck her in the middle of a photo shoot, but holy shit. He’d been refused for too long.

Sunday, April 14, 2013

Sunday Snoggin' With Until the Night!

Click here for the other snogs!
It's Snoggin' Time! Still working on getting back on the blogging horse. Today I'm featuring my vampire novella, Until the Night. I love this foursome and hope you do, too. My first menage and more! Read on for the snog and be sure to check out the other snogs here!

Having a mate can be a pain. Having three…now that’s unheard of…


Gypsy volunteered to become a vampire, but she had no idea just what she’d agreed to do. As a human, she’d had her pick of willing males to warm her bed. As a creature of the night, she’s striking out.

Until she meets Kendall. He knows what she is and doesn’t care. He’s loved her since he met her, but he had no idea just how complicated her life truly was. Her protectors refuse to leave her side. But what if he wants them on his side, too?

Allan and Todd are mates, plain and simple. Gypsy is in their charge. Period. Until they start to see her not as a problem, but a sexy solution complete with an adorable human thrown in for fun.

Can they come together as a foursome or will they destroy everything they’ve built in the name of passion?
Available here!

Here's the snog!!


Allan crept towards Todd. His hands trembled as he reached for his lover. Only one person got to him. One person brought all his fears and worries to the surface. Todd. His mate. His heart ached. “She’s the reason I’m a vampire.”

Todd stared at something in the distance and didn’t move. Allan pushed into his mind, but saw nothing. He had to say something, do something to make the hurt go away, but what? “Don’t shut me out. This is something I never thought would happen, but I’m not letting her tear us apart.”

More silence. Todd didn’t move, just looked straight ahead.

“Todd, I love you. Nothing will change that.” Despite the emotional chasm between them, Allan drew circles over the back of Todd’s hand with his thumb. “This is a hitch in our relationship and it’s on my shoulders, but we’ll get past it. I know we will.”

Todd exhaled and scrubbed his hand over his mouth. “I believe you.” He nodded. “I know we’ll manage, but you’re always the calm one. You don’t screw up, so this threw me.” Todd wrapped his arm around Allan’s shoulders and held him tight to his chest. “We all have a vampire that sired us, I just… I never wanted to hear that you had one. I imagined it was divine intervention or something. You made me and that’s enough.” He chuckled. “You made me a fucking wuss, too. Getting upset like this. Shit.”


Allan snorted. He liked his man being emotional. “Intervention, yes, but not divine.” He pressed a kiss to Todd’s bristled neck. He loved the feel of the scruff abrading his lips. Desire flowed through his veins and his cock responded. They might have fucked not an hour before, but, damn, he was ready to go again.

“What does this mean for us? Is she going to try to kill me?” Todd’s voice cracked and he shifted in his seat. Allan’s effect on Todd was evidenced by the tent in his jeans.

Allan palmed Todd’s cock through the denim. “She’s dangerous, yeah.”

“We need to protect each other?” Todd scooted down in the seat. He ground his pelvis against Allan’s hand. “Gypsy, too?”

“Eventually.” Allan nipped Todd’s hair-roughened skin. He popped the button on Todd’s jeans and slipped his hand beneath the zipper to cup Todd’s dick. The heat filled Allan to his core. Todd’s moan rumbled around the truck cab. Allan stroked Todd, caressing every inch of his erection.

Todd shifted enough to give Allan better access. He yanked his pants down then grabbed the front of Allan’s shirt. “I want you.”

“I’m yours.”




Wednesday, April 10, 2013

Hump Day Hump ~ Best I Ever Had


Marteeka Karland came up with a pretty good idea for Wednesdays and I love it. I've been sort of fumbling with what to do with them myself. So here's to Hump Day HUMPS! Click here for more. Then, read on!

Here's my Hump Day HUMP from my latest novella, Best I Ever Had!



The objective—keep her safe. No one said anything about falling in love.

All she wanted was a pint of ice cream, not to be a witness to a double murder. Good thing Emma’s got not one, but two, sexy men willing to keep her safe. As long as she can keep her hands to herself.

Sam’s mission? To find the man responsible for the murder. He’s not going to rest until the streets are safe, even if it means having his best friend guard his best girl. It’s the best option, right? Quint never dreamed he’d be attracted to his best friend’s lover…and his best friend. He’s got to keep his hands to himself all while figuring out what he wants from life, even if love equals Emma and Sam in Quint’s bed.

Is love in the cards or are they going to go up in flames before they get started?

Available here

And now for that HUMP!

“Quint,” Sam shouted. “Quint?”

The door creaked and footsteps padded on the floor. Quint appeared over Sam’s shoulder. “You rang?”

“Pull up a chair.” Sam kept his gaze fixed on her and rubbed his cheek along her inner thigh. “Enjoy the show.”

After he exchanged glances with her, Quint eased the rest of the way into the room. “Thank you, Jesus.” He sank down in the beat up armchair. One hand palmed his crotch while the other hand gripped the arm of the chair. “About damn time. I have permission?”

“You have mine.” Emma licked her lips. This was real. Him, Sam, all of it. Her breath lodged fast in her throat. Their first time all together and she wouldn’t change a minute of it so far.

“Do you like having him here?” Sam flattened his tongue along her sensitive skin, grazing his teeth over her labia. “Like knowing he’s hard right now? Like me tasting you?”

“Yes, yes, yes,” she managed. Sparks shot from her clit to her lower belly and bounced to her brain. The sensation overload overwhelmed her. “Feels good when you stroke me down there. It tingles.”

“Fuck. So soft. Silky.” Sam palmed her breast and tweaked the nipple until she cried out. “You’re mine.” He scooted off the bed and pressed her legs open. “Mine.”

“God, that’s hot.” The click of Quint’s zipper caught her attention. “Love this.”

“Our girl is hot as hell.” Sam chuckled. Emma struggled against his grasp on her wrists. “So hot,” he added.

Emma shivered as Sam kissed a path of fire down her inner thigh. He knew when to graze her with his teeth to bring the right amount of pain to their play. He flicked his tongue along the naked patch of skin where her curls usually covered. She bucked at the rough of his cheek against her sensitive skin. She bit back a grin. The last bikini wax session paid off. Love and lust sizzled through her veins. Everything he did felt so good.

Sam dug his nails into her ass and suckled on her mons. The burn from his touch licked at her from within. Her pussy spasmed and she bucked off the bed. Her legs trembled and fever overcame her. Sam spread her labia and dragged his teeth over her clit. Rational thought left her brain.

“Oh,” she whimpered. “More. God, please.”

Sam chuckled. “I love when you beg.”





Tuesday, April 9, 2013

Ten Line Tuesday!



Ten lines from my smutastic and so much fun story, Private Hideaway, in the Smut Alfresco anthology! Enjoy!



Available here!

And now for those ten lines!

Zoe rolled her eyes. They were standing on front of a wooden cottage in the middle of a deserted campground. What possible surprises could he have up his sleeve?

Torin slipped out of the vehicle and walked out of her line of sight. Within moments, he returned with a huge bouquet of roses. “These are for you, my love.”

“Thank you.” She buried her face in the sweet crimson blossoms. “You know how much I love these.” Zoe wrapped her free arm around his waist. “Question. How do you know we won’t be interrupted? We’ve had the paparazzi on our tails for the last six months.”

“I know and I’m sorry.” Torin offered his hand. “I want to go for a walk.”

She opened her mouth to protest, but he silenced her with a kiss. Zoe melted into his touch, threading her arms around his neck. His tongue tangled with hers. Torin hoisted her off the packed earth, then carried her into the cabin. The door slapped on the wall and the crack vibrated the tiny building. His footsteps thumped on the hardwood floor. A large bed, clad in fresh white sheets sat in the corner of the quaint room.

“Perfect.” Torin crossed the room to the bed. “I can’t wait.”




Monday, April 8, 2013

Race Quotes of the Week


This was a whopper of a week. Everyone ended up mad and most every car ended up with at least one ding on it. Great stuff!!!

Here are the quotes for this week. Enjoy!

"...bump and run or the bump and dump..."
Hee hee. Sounds like a drive by date.

"...late entry..."
Don't you just hate those?

"...pinching her down..."
Sounds like a personal problem... and painful...

"...not cutting her slack..."
Well, sometimes you gotta suck it up and just do it.

"...real tight and needs rear grip..."
I thought that was a good thing...

And the Doozy of the Week:
"...need a rubber in the right rear..."
Snicker. Better bring protection.

Thanks for reading! More to come next week!




Sunday, April 7, 2013

Sunday Snog ~ Drizzle Me in Chocolate




It's time for the snogs! Want more snogaliciousness? Click here.
I know, I know. I've been a little derelict lately in posting to the blog. When life rains.... it really pours. I should've posted more and now I'm going to try to get back on the blogging horse. I thought I'd share a snog from my chocoholic extravaganza, Drizzle Me in Chocolate, from Smut for Chocoholics. :-) I love this story and I hope you do, too.



Smut for Chocoholics is all about indulgence, taking wicked delight in the erotic consumption and use of chocolate, with tales from some of erotica’s finest authors.. Whatever your relationship with the seductive cocoa, there’s something nestling between the covers for you.

Smut for Chocoholics contains tales from Violet Fields, Bel Anderson, Lucy Felthouse, Demelza Hart, Victoria Blisse, Kay Jaybee, Jacqueline Brocker, Tenille Brown, Wendi Zwaduk, Katey Red, Jenny Lyn, Tilly Hunter, Nicole Gestalt and Cass Peterson.

Chocolate might not last forever, but love does.

Elysa agreed to model chocolate, but she never imagined she’d be faced with her past. Simon Dumont playboy, millionaire and her one weakness. Can she get through the shoot with her pride intact, or is he worth losing her heart all over again?

Simon knew damn well who he wanted for those pictures. Only one woman could embody the sensuality needed to sell his exotic chocolates and chocolate inspired sex toys. Elysa Green. He’s not about to be denied a second time. Can the Casanova of Chocolates prove he’s the one man to make her happy or will their smouldering passion consume them before love strikes a second time?

Available here

And now for that snog!

When the door closed, Simon picked up the chain. His touch against her side tingled her skin. She closed her eyes and measured her breaths. The man shouldn’t be able to frazzle her, but he did with ease. She opened her eyes. She’d have to deal with him sooner or later, although she preferred later.

Simon draped the chain across her belly, then sat back on his heels. “It’s been a long time.”

“It has.” She stared at the length of gold. “Twenty-four carat, isn’t it?”

“Nothing but the best.” Simon sighed. “Let’s get it out there. I don’t like games and you’re horrible at bluffing. You left that night and never told me why. Want to tell me now?”

Her stomach knotted and bile rose in her throat. She’d rehearsed what she wanted to say so many times in front of the mirror, but seeing him in person wasn’t like the mirror.

“I got scared,” she whispered.

“Of?” Simon smoothed a lock of her hair behind her ear and his touch lingered down her jaw line. She fought the urge to rub her face on his hand. He leaned over her, his mouth a whisper away from hers. His breath warmed her skin. If she arched her back, she’d be able to kiss him. Did she want to kiss him? Absolutely.

“It’s nothing.” She suppressed the wince. Not what she wanted to say, but damn it. The truth wouldn’t come. Breaking things off with Simon hadn’t been nothing, but hell, there she was draped in chocolate and wearing nothing but a bandage top and a tight leather skirt.

“I doubt it.” Simon tilted her chin, forcing her to look at him. “We will discuss this later.” He stroked her bottom lip with his thumb. “Missed you, El. More than I thought I would.”