Mary Quast's Blog, page 50

Blueberry Festival 2017

Blueberry Festival was fun like always, just a little different this year. Maybe we are getting older and tire earlier than we used to. Maybe we are simply wiser.

My best gal pal, Kendra, and I worked together serving people wine during the Wine & Craft Beer
Taste Testing event. The organizers had no idea they were giving the Menage a Trois Silk wine to an erotic romance writer to promote. TOO EASY!!!

For several years, Kendra, I and the owner of the local market host the Queen's Breakfast. We serve 30-40 queens from area festivals a blueberry pancake breakfast fit for royalty. Since she was little, Kendra's daughter helped us. This year was her year, she was the Blueberry Queen.

Saturday night we didn't go to the beer tent but counted down the hours to minutes until we could go to bed. But we stayed alert until we knew our eldest sons were safely home. A few years ago, we made the boys stay up into the wee hours to be our designated drivers. This year, the tables turned and we were their DDs.

I managed to spend time with my favorite free spirit, Gypsy. Yes, she's really a gypsy. We've know each other for 15 years but feels like an entire lifetime. She owns every one of my 9 books I've written. We met while I was writing the third book in the Soul Series. She helped me through a writer's block. We have lots of laughs when she tells of her adventures since we last spoke. Her hugs are the best in the world and it's always hard to say good bye. However, she is becoming more stationary and we hope to see more of each other.

Sunday afternoon before exhibitors closed shop, I wandered looking for items to use as prizes and give-a-ways. I found some amazing items and met some wonderful new friends.

I enjoy the Blueberry Festival every year. I've had to slow down with all the volunteer work I've done but it's worth being able to spend more time with old and new friends.

Michigan Fun for Couples in August

Summer has been awesome and we manage to have some vacation time. I have two football players so we have to plan short little trips when we can. Hubby and I always try to make time for just us...you know...for a bit of adventure with a dash of romance.

I love living in Michigan. The changing seasons create many opportunities for adventures. During every weekend, a festival is going on someplace. Couples traveling to Michigan can find scores of activities and destinations perfect for falling in love,
sharing a special moment or rediscovering what you love about each other.

The weather also creates a perfect growing environment for wine making grapes. Michigan wineries are fun to visit. Nothing spells "romance" like visiting a vineyard and opening a bottle straight from the source. Enjoy wine tasting and "wine trails" through Michigan's wine country, which stretches along the coast of Lake Michigan along the lower peninsula's northern and central shores, or look for wine festivals throughout Michigan during Michigan Wine Month in April. The Cherry Festival is a must in July to enjoy an airshow and the opportunity to enjoy everything cherry. Try some cherry salsa while sipping cherry wine then take a walk on the beach!

As summer draws near, couples can enjoy the sunsets and food and music festivals all over the state nearly every weekend during the warm season. Stop at the Blueberry Festival in Montrose, you'll find me in the beer tent on Thursday night serving wine during the annual wine tasting event. Michigan offers a wonderful selection of breweries open all year round for tours and tasting. Hubby has a Bucket List of craft breweries he wants to visit. We always seem to stumble upon local wineries or brew pubs. Several offer wonderful food along with their beverages.

 As temperatures drop, the festivals don't stop. Frankenmuth is our favorite spot as it is only a short drive for us. Getting away for a weekend is easy. This quaint town explores German heritage with Oktoberfest, and the Holiday Balloon Fest takes place in December. We enjoy walking along the streets to visit our "regular shops" anytime of the year.

In today's busy world, it is very healthy for couples to spend some quality time together. Hubby and I think Michigan certainly provides many romantic opportunities.

Visit Pure Michigan for more information or to plan your weekend getaway.

Sneak Peak Sunday - Eagle Dance Shifter Romance

Today's Sneak Peak comes from Eagle Dance.  Book 2 in the Legend of the Spirit series. Part of the 1 Night Stand Series by Decadent Publishing.
BLURB:Dyami Schafer, a Native American from the Chippewa tribe, leads a lonely life due to his large size and unusual appearance. When his nesting instinct sets in, he turns to Madame Eve and 1Night Stand to help him find his spirit mate. Or at least a woman who accepts him as an eagle shifter.
Amanda Collins never stopped loving the Chippewa boy she knew from her childhood. Maybe a night with a Native American man will help her forget the past and let her move on with her life.
Sometimes, it’s necessary to take a step into the past before dancing into the future. With the help of Madame Eve, will the Spirit of the Eagle carry Dyami and Amanda?


She brushed the gray tips and white strands of hair that gave him such untamed nobility. With a finger, she traced his face from his temple to his jaw, across his lips, then scraped her nails along the fine hair under his chin. A man of his enormous size would be capable of great strength, and a gal could easily lose herself in his arms for more than one night. His gaze intensified under her scrutiny.

“What do you see when you look at me?” he asked and lowered his eyes. Sinfully long lashes brushed his cheeks.

She considered him to be the most gorgeous man alive. His eyes mesmerized her. Some would consider the unusual color to be eerie, but she saw a whirlwind of emotions, from pain to hope, drawing her into his soul. Did his unusual appearance cause issues and uncertainty in his life? Despite his intimidating frame, he exhibited control and gentle qualities in the tender way he’d held her when they danced and the way he’d admitted his soft spot for animals. In arms like his, a woman could find paradise in many ways.

She cupped his face and forced him to meet her gaze. “I see a handsome, mystical warrior from another world.”

“Handsome, huh? I think you need your vision checked. I am nothing more than a simple Chippewa from Michigan.” His mouth was inches from hers. “However, I can be magical and take you wherever you want to go.”

“Then dance with me,” she whispered.


CLICK HERE to check out other awesome authors' Sneak Peaks.

Sinful Saturday

sin·ful (snfl)
adj.
Marked by or full of sin; wicked.

Can SINFUL be a good thing?


1. Sinfully sexy smile




2. Sinful gleam in his eye





3. Sinfully delicious chocolate





4. Sinfully decadent





5. Built for sinful behavior





6. Sinful kiss that leaves you breathless


What do you think?

Sensual Saturday - A Poem

That Day
If you've got the key
then I've got the door
let's do what we did
when we did it before

if you've got the time
I've got the way
let's do what we did
when we did it all day

you get the glass
I've got the wine
we'll do what we did
when we did it overtime

if you've got the dough
then I've got the heat
we can use my over
til it's warm and sweet

I know I'm bold
coming on like this
but the good things in life
are too good to be missed

now time is money
and money is sweet
if you're busy baby
we can do it on our feet

we can do it on the floor
we can do it on the stairs
we can do it on the couch
we can do it in the air

we can do it in the grass
and in case we get an itch
I can scratch it with my left hand
cause I'm really quite a witch

if we do it once a month
we can do it in time
if we do it once a week
we can do it in rhyme
if we do it every day
we can do it everyway
we can do it like we did it
when we did it
that day

~ Nikki Giovanni

The Earring Thief - Crow Magic

Today we are featuring a Sneak Peek from Crow Magic by Mary Quast. 
The scene featured is the day of Lucy's blind date Madame Eve of 1 Night Stand arranged. She's rather nervous but relaxes while visiting with a crow on her porch. The large bird entertains her with typical crow behavior when she shares a slice of toast with the bird. Little does she know, she will meet up with crow again, but in his human form.



With a sharp backward pull, he yanked the silver loop out of her ear and took to the sky.

Jumping from her seat with a yelp, she raced off the porch. “Damn you!” She shook her fist at him. “Give that back to me!”

The silver hoop glistened in the tight hold of his beak. He taunted her. Keeping her eyes on him, she walked away from the cottage. As he flew close, he emitted a throaty grumble before flying toward a path leading into the woods. The mission of retrieving the earring became a game of follow the leader

She wanted her jewelry returned, but the words from Madame Eve’s note haunted her. May you learn from the spirit of the Crow. Something told her to follow the thief. She ran along the well-traveled dirt trail, and he glided ahead, beckoning her to follow.

The canopy of trees shadowed the corridor, the cool air fragrant with pine, cedar and sweet fern. Woodland flowers dotted the route. She ducked under a low pine branch, giddiness swelling within her. Taking pleasure in the sudden happiness, she followed the path until the forest opened to a field and a lake.

A little winded, she slowed her pace, becoming conscious of the beauty surrounding her. She stood in the same meadow depicted in the painting above her bed. Flying to a large oak tree in the center of the meadow, he slowed then perched.


BLURB FOR CROW MAGIC ~

Lucy Richards is tired of being timid around men and turns to Madame Eve to give her a man for a night that will help her overcome her fears to feel like a real woman. Eve arranges a night tucked away in the Castillo Poconos Resort with a handsome Shawnee shaman who will teach her to use her womanly power and take her to unimaginable heights.
Seth Crowe, a shape shifter and Keeper of the Spiritual Law, considers himself to be a carrier of souls from darkness to light and enjoys using his body to accomplish his magic. When his brother refers him to 1 Night Stand he certainly didn’t expect to find a fiery angel sleeping in a sensuous body and experience the true balance of nature.   BUY IT NOW ON AMAZON
Visit Mary Quast's blog Romantic Interludes

Tasty Tuesday - Sex on the Beach

Ah... summertime. Nothing beats sex on the beach if you don't mind sand in your butt crack and other crevices, that is. And don't forget if you're caught, you might have a fine or get arrested.  

So let's play it safe with the other Summertime favorite
Sex On The Beach
(the drink)
1 1/2 oz vodka
1/2 oz peach schnapps
2 oz cranberry juice
2 oz orange juiceAdd vodka and peach schnapps to a highball glass over ice. Fill with equal measures of cranberry juice and orange juice, and stir.

CHEERS

Chocolate and Sex

Chocolate is said to cause sexual arousal in women. Studies have shown that women who consume chocolate on a regular basis have increase arousal and sexual desire.

* Eat chocolate with the highest amount of cocoa... which is dark chocolate.

* Eat chocolate right before your period...at least once a day for a week. This will increase serotonin in the brain and reduce anxiety.

* Eat chocolate just before sex. Use it in sex play to boost your sex drive and make some fun in the bedroom.

Chocolate can be consumed not only as a candy, but also in forms of deserts, syrup, and drinks.

Enjoy!!!

Poet's Corner

I Wonder

I wonder if you know
how much you mean to me.
I wonder if it shows
how wonderful I think you are....
or how many times a day
I think of you
and look forward
to holding you close.
I wonder
if you can read my mind
or see into my heart
and know just how happy I am
to be sharing this life with you.

Sometimes I don't know how
to let you know,
and it keeps me from telling you
as often as I should....
Because you are the one
I want to live with
and dream with
and laugh with every day
for the rest of my life...
and I just wondered if you knew

- Anonymous

Tasty Tuesday - Cherry Smash!

This flirty cocktail has only 161 calories and a nice amount of Vitamin C Ingredients:
1 cup pitted fresh or frozen cherries
1/4 cup fresh mint leaves, 4 mint sprigs
8 teaspoons of sugar
6 ounces (3/4 cups) dark rum
1/4 cup lime juice
3 cups cherry-flavored seltzer (plain
seltzer will work too)

Preparation
Using 4 glasses evenly divide the cherries, mint leaves and sugar. Mash the ingredients with a wooden spoon and then stir in the rum and the lime juice, top it off with seltzer. Add mint sprig for color.