Mary Quast's Blog, page 5

Blindfolds, Bourbon and Belly Buttons

 Even though I write fiction, I enjoy working real stuff into my stories. Since my setting for Legend of the Spirit series is in the Poconos Mountains, I found Holy Ghost Distillery, Inc. produces a nice perfect for the story. My characters in Wolf Whispers found a unique use for the tasty spirit.

Today's word count : 20,914

UNEDITED 1ST DRAFT:

“Sweetheart, I need a drink.” He chuckled as he reached for the shot glass full of amberliquid. “Now hold still.”

“Oh!” She squealed when he poured a small amount of bourbon into her belly button. “That’scold.”

“It’s room temperature but feels cold because you are heated up.” He sucked the bourbonand licked the runaway drips. “Hmmm… tasty. Tell me what it is.”

He slid across her body to kiss her. She licked his lips and stroked his tongue,tasting him.

“It’s what I image you taste like. Vanilla and spice.” As if his cock could hardenmore, her husky voice begged. “Kiss me again.”

He tossed the rest of the shot back, letting the heat travel down his throat then indulgedher request. Covering her mouth with his, he untied her. Once freed, she spearedhis hair with her fingers.

“Whiskey?” She asked between kisses.

“Bourbon.” He smiled and began to pull away. “It’s McNamee’s Black Irish Bourbon from heHoly Ghost Distillery not far from here.”

“We might have pay them a visit and buy some to take home. I like the flavor on you.” Shesmiled as he assisted her to sit up. “Can I savor more of you?”

Nicknames for the Littles

 What nicknames do you have for your kids and/or pets? I've never met anyone who didn't have some kinds of sweet name for someone they love. My boys were blessed with nicknames when they were little.

Pic is from the day after the youngest came home from the hospital.

My three sons are Honey Bunny (1st born) because he's a mini version of my hubby, Bugaboo (middle child) because he's a snuggle bug, and Tiger (youngest because of what he sounded like when he cried). 

They are all adults now and I still call them by their nicknames. 

However, when I write about them in my blog, they are The Chemist, Flyboy Jr. and The Menace. 

(Pic is from the eldest's wedding in 2021 - L to R, The Menace, The Chemist, Flyboy Jr)

Blindfolds and Word Count

Today was a productive day of working on Wolf Whispers, Legend of the Spirit book #4.

Sometimes an author needs visual inspiration when writing. I have photos of the Poconos Mountains, cute cabins, lakes and landscapes to help me visualize the physical setting in my stories. Today, I needed a good description of Carson "Dawg" Batitise and thank Nanji Liam for the inspiration.

Writing romance has its challenges. One is creating characters and sex scenes unique to each book. As I approached the smexy stuff in Wolf Whispers, I wanted a different approach when dealing with a sexually experienced MMC and a virgin MFC. Hmm... a creative way to bring her into the world of sensuality. I came up with the answer of using all her senses. I used such a technique in Taming Rachel. So I did a little research on  using a blindfold to enhance sensual play. My word count for the day isn't as high as what I'd like, but it's definitely on a roll. I like the direction my mind is going.

I'm sure when Flyboy arrives home from his last flight, he'll enjoy it as well.

Teaser/excerpt from 1st draft.

Too distracted by the emotions coursing through her to answer, she could only sigh. He stood like a bronze warrior in tight leather pants and wild hair falling over his thick shoulders. One hand rested on his belt buckle while the other held a small swatch of black silk. A slow growl crept up from deep inside him then faded. He tossed the black silk onto the bed and undid his buckle. With a quick snap, he pulled the belt from around his waist.

“I’ll ask one more time.” His gaze held the promise of pleasure. “Do you trust me, Delany.”

Teaser from Hawk's Honor

I love how a big, bad Marine can be rendered speechless. Enjoy this unedited clip.

Hishead swiveled to meet her smile. She crossed her arms in front of her chest.With a tilt of her head, she raised an eyebrow.

“Wh…what?”When did he start stuttering? “But… tha…that’s…”

“Wow,did you get a head wound? Do you need me to talk slower? Try to keep up, Hawke.”She smirked and slowed her speech. “I’m staying with you. I’m your date, Jamie.Madame Eve hooked us up for tonight.”

“No!”He shook his head as panic set in and he struggled to breathe. “You…you’re…I’m…oh, no. Fuck.”

In the last few years, he faced the enemy,injury, and death but in the last two minutes he’d become a bumbling idiot. 

Simple Romance

Flyboy and I joined another couple one night. We met at the Prost Wine and Charcuterie Bar in Frankenmuth. (You msy have heard of the quaint little German town in Michigan. If you're into music, it is the home of Greta VanFleet,)
My gal pal told me of another time she and her hubby visited the bar.
It was a workday for both. By chance, their morning meetings finished early thus giving them the rest of the day off to spend together. Since they were in Frankenmuth,  they decided to stop at Prost for a bite. Being a cool but sunny day, they chose to sit on the patio near the gas fire. Sipping wine, nibbling on a selection of meats and cheeses while enjoying quiet conversation turned a quick stop into an afternoon of calm joy. 
Their busy lives were put on hold for a time so they could simply be. They talked, laughed and shared dreams. With only the two of them on the patio, they could've been anywhere in the world. They may have been in a beer garden in Germany or an outdoor resturant in France, they only saw each other. People strolling past the garden were oblivious to the love in the air...or perhaps they felt it too.
No matter how busy, be sure grab those little romantic interludes when you can.

Bot Attack

It may appear I've neglected my blog, but I really stepped away for a while. 
I tried a free trial of one of those blog promotion programs. At first I was excited with the new hits. International hits increased. I have always had readers in the armed forces and England. However when the numbers increases in non-English speaking areas and the hits were more than the US, I knew something wasn't right.
Yep...my site was bot attacked. So went into radio silence to clean things up. Luckily, since this isn't a monetary sight, the thieves didn't get much. Well...maybe a few tips on being romantic.
Thanks for hanging in there with me and I'll make it up to readers soon. Hawk's Honor is in edits and the cover mock-up is done. SO HAWT!!! 
I'm been plunking away at Wolf Whispers as well as plotted two more books.
I'll share more soon.
HUGS!

Tasty Tuesday - Chocolate-Irish Cream Cheesecake

 

Inhonor of St. Patrick's Day

Ithought I'd post something Irish to get your mojo going.

 

Hereis a couple of my favorite St. Patty recopies. I suggest making them and enjoying them with your special someone.

Chocolate-IrishCream Cheesecake

Ingredients:Chocolate-Irish Cream Cheesecake

·        11/2 cupsfinely crushed chocolate wafers(about 18 cookies)*

·        6tablespoons butter, melted*

·        1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

·        38 ounce packages cream cheese,softened

·        18 ounce carton dairy sour cream

·        1cup sugar

·        18 ounce package semisweet chocolate,melted and cooled

·        3eggs

·        1/2 cup Irish cream liqueur

·        2tablespoons whipping cream or milk

·        2teaspoons vanilla

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. For crust, in a medium bowl,combine crushed chocolate wafers, melted butter, and cinnamon; toss gently tomix. Press mixture onto the bottom and up the side of a 9- or 10-inchspring form pan. Set aside.

2.  For filling, in alarge bowl, combine cream cheese, sour cream, sugar, and melted chocolate. Beatwith an electric mixer on medium to high speed until smooth. Using a woodenspoon, stir in eggs just until combined. Stir in liqueur, whipping cream ormilk, and vanilla.

3.  Pour filling into the crust-lined pan. Placespringform pan in shallow baking pan. Bake for 50 to 60 minutes or until centerappears nearly set when gently shaken.

#TastyTuesday - Chocolate Stout Shake

 

Chocolate Stout Shake

Ingredients

1/4 cup chocolate stout beer or stout beer

1/2 cup prepared chocolate fudge ice cream topping

1/2 gallon vanilla bean ice cream

1 cupmilk

6 purchased chocolate-and-nut-covered pretzel rods (optional)

Directions

1. In a small saucepanheat beer and chocolate topping until warm and combined. Cool slightly.

2. Meanwhile, in ablender combine ice cream and milk, half at a time. Cover and blend untilcombined. Divide ice cream mixture among 8 glasses. Drizzle with chocolatesauce and, if desired, serve with chocolate-covered pretzel rods. Makes 8servings.

Chocolate StoutShake Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. For crust, ina medium bowl, combine crushed chocolate wafers, melted butter, and cinnamon;toss gently to mix. Press mixture onto the bottom and up the side of a 9- or10-inch springform pan. Set aside.

Cool in springform pan on a wire rack for 15minutes. Using a small sharp knife, loosen from side of pan. Cool for 30minutes more. Remove side of springform pan. Cool for 1 hour. Cover and chillfor at least 6 hours or up to 24 hours. Makes 16 servings.

 Cool in springform pan on awire rack for 15 minutes. Using a small sharp knife, loosen from side of pan.Cool for 30 minutes more. Remove side of springform pan. Cool for 1 hour. Coverand chill for at least 6 hours or up to 24 hours. Makes 16 servings.

 

#TuesdayTeaser from Eagle Dance

Snow came in last night and reminded me of a scene in my book, Eagle Dance. 

“Let’s pickup the ‘za then head to the cabin.” He dropped the phone into a cup holder.
Not able tostop her mouth from speaking her thoughts in a matter-of-fact way. “We shouldpick up some chocolate or caramel syrup too.”
He blinkedhis sinfully long eyelashes and with his lips formed a slow smirk as thesuggestion of her words set in. Leaning over the center counsel, he cupped hercheek with one large hand. His eyes bore into hers with intensity.
“Your wishis my command.” He took her mouth in a searing kiss which ended too soon. “Yougot something planned for dessert?”
“Maybe.” Sheplayed coy.
He flashedperfect teeth in a full grin while he turned up the heat in the truck then putit into gear. The goatee on his chin and dark brows gave him a devilishappearance and when he smiled she ached to climb all over him. A wild nightwith a handsome Indian is what she requested but received much more.
 The truck jerked, turning her attention to thestorm. Working his way along the precarious road, the vehicle lurched and adream catcher swayed from the review mirror. Gems stitched into the web reflectedsmall facets of light, giving her a distraction from her fear of crashing intoa tree along the road.

*************************** Dyami Schafer, a Native American from the Chippewa tribe, leads alonely life due to his large size and unusual appearance. When his nestinginstinct sets in, he turns to Madame Eve and 1Night Stand to help him find hisspirit mate. Or at least a woman who accepts him as an eagle shifter.
Amanda Collins never stopped loving the Chippewa boy she knew from herchildhood. Maybe a night with a Native American man will help her forget thepast and let her move on with her life.
Sometimes, it’s necessary to take a step into the past before dancinginto the future. With the help of Madame Eve, will the Spirit of the Eaglecarry Dyami and Amanda?

AVAILABLE AT:  DecadentPublishing 
Amazon
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A Hallmark Moment

During the holiday season I watched Hallmark movies when I had the house to myself. I noticed how a character would bundle up and take his or her morning coffee onto a deck or porch for moment of quiet contemplation. No words spoken, but the scene placed a pivotal point in the character's development. Flyboy would say it is just a pretty scene. 

Today, I decided to have my moment. I slid on a flannel jacket and my Hey Dudes to venture onto the porch with a steaming cup of joe. After all, it's a warm 32 degrees outside.


Quiet contemplation?
Not really. The coffee cooled before I could enjoy it and I lost feeling in my fingers. 
Reyka enjoyed her moment  though.