Mary Quast's Blog, page 57
August 26, 2015
#HumpDayHottie
Taming Rachel is currently in edits. As soon as I get a cover I'll share. In the meantime, enjoy a nice view of Dustin Stiles. He's a larger than life hottie who uses a blindfold and a silk scarft to convince his lady to take a chance on love... forever.
August 25, 2015
#TuesdayTeaser from Crow Magic
Birds chattering pulled her from sleep. She wiggled under the cozy comforter to steal one more moment of utter bliss before rubbing her face to wake up. Pushing flyaway hair past her ears, Lucy opened her eyes and stretched. Arriving late the night before, she’d unpacked then gone straight to bed. Her best friend had convinced her to try Madame Eve’s 1Night Stand, and now miles from home, she lay in the Rose Cabin on Cherry Lane, a private but exquisite cottage at the Castillo Resort in the Poconos Mountains.
She took a deep breath and rose to the beauty of a new day and the possibilities of the coming evening. Sunlight dappled the floors of her cabin. Finding the long terry robe the resort supplied, she pulled it on then pulled back the cream-colored curtains to allow the morning radiance to enter and spread its cheerfulness. The delicate scent from the white roses in a vase on the nightstand mingled with the pine and cedar cabin. She picked up a card next to the flowers.
Lucy,
May you discover the magical power of the mountains and their crystal clear waters.
May the life force of the woods stir your soul.
May you learn from the spirit of the crow.
Tecumseh will help you fly if you believe in him.
Madame Eve
He had only one name. Not Bob, or Roger, but Tecumseh, and without doubt, Native American. Names held power and his name sounded powerful. What kind of person had the name Tecumseh? Was he a real man, a shaman or a spirit?
“Enough worrying about tonight, time to enjoy the day.” She adjusted the sheets of the Queen Ann bed and smoothed the antique quilt bright with turquoise and shades of fuchsia. An impressive painting of a floral meadow and a large tree near a lake hung on the wall and she made a mental note to explore outside to discover if the meadow was local. She gazed at the bed, wondering what the night would bring and shuddered with anticipation.
Crow Magic Blurb:Lucy Richards is tired of being timid around men. Hoping to overcome her fears and feel like a real woman, she turns to Madame Eve to find a man who will fulfill that goal. Eve arranges a one-night stand with a handsome Shawnee shaman who will teach Lucy to use her womanly power and take her to unimaginable heights.Shape shifter Seth Crowe is a Keeper of the Spiritual Law who carries souls from darkness to light, and enjoys using his body to accomplish his magic.
Tucked away in the Castillo Poconos Resort, Seth helps Lucy find spiritual and sexual freedom, never dreaming he might find his own mate in the bargain.
BUY NOW Amazon Goodreads Smashwords Barnes & Noble
August 23, 2015
August 17, 2015
Wrap Me In Choclate
Hi, My name is Mary. I'm a chocoholic.
Do you love chocolate so much you'd bathe in it?
Here's your chance.
Warm 1/2 cup of honey in a microwave then stir in 1 1/2 cups of unsweetened cocoa until it dissolves. If the mixture cools, reheat it, but don't let it get hot. Now spread the mudlike spaste evenly over your body.
Wrap your legs, arms and torso in plastic wrap to seal in the paste and sit or lie for 20 minutes.
Once done, peel of the wrap and wsh away the paste in a warm shower.
Your skin should feel silky smooth.
There are hydrating and revitalizing antioxidants in cocoa and honey.
Do you love chocolate so much you'd bathe in it?
Here's your chance.
Warm 1/2 cup of honey in a microwave then stir in 1 1/2 cups of unsweetened cocoa until it dissolves. If the mixture cools, reheat it, but don't let it get hot. Now spread the mudlike spaste evenly over your body.
Wrap your legs, arms and torso in plastic wrap to seal in the paste and sit or lie for 20 minutes.
Once done, peel of the wrap and wsh away the paste in a warm shower.
Your skin should feel silky smooth.
There are hydrating and revitalizing antioxidants in cocoa and honey.
August 13, 2015
Arranged Marriage...What?!
Who agrees to an arranged marriage in the 21st century? Beth Malone can’t believe a date request with the 1Night Stand service morphed into an arranged marriage offer. But after a heartbreaking divorce and no knight in shining armor coming to sweep her off her feet, her desire to find that knight and have a family is looking more like a dream than a reality.After filling out a 1Night Stand questionnaire worthy of the CIA, Christian Ramos is stunned when Madame Eve offers to arrange more than a date for one night: she suggests a wife! What the hell? And after his best friend Jackson Castillo stops laughing, he advises him to consider the offer. Between the fortieth birthday looming on the horizon and his Latino upbringing, Chris is forced to take a hard look at his life. Reality check—time is running out for what he wants—a family and a woman to share his life.First comes love, then comes marriage isn’t part of their matrimonial situation, but neither Beth nor Christian anticipated the immediate attraction and contentment that comes with saying, “I do.” I hope you love Chris and Beth as much as I do! Madame Eve definitely knew what she was doing bringing these two lovebirds together!
You could win $25 USD in Amazon funny money to spend on anything you want (heaven knows they get lots of MY money pretty regularly), plus I’m giving away a 3-book e-book bundle—you choose the great reads!—from Decadent Publishing, and a Decadent audiobook of your choice from Audible.com!
Only one thing is mandatory: You MUST purchase First Comes Marriage (http://goo.gl/kjTk6h) from Amazon before midnight tonight. It’s only 99 cents, but for the chance to win awesome prezzies...so worth it! Email me the receipt—a screenshot of the Amazon receipt or confirmation email is fine—BAM! You’re in the running for the big win!
If you read First Comes Marriage and leave a review, please let me know! I plan to give away ANOTHER bag of prizes to one reviewer at the end of August.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Valerie is the co-owner of a Decadent Publishing, as well as Wizards in Publishing, a company that provides editing and formatting services for authors and publishers. Where to find her: Email | Twitter | Facebook | Blog | Amazon | Goodreads | Manic TRR | GooglePlus | Tsu
August 12, 2015
#Thursday13 – Reasons to attend the #MontroseBlueberryFestival
I live in a small community in Mid-Michigan and every year during the third weekend in August we host the Montrose Blueberry Festival. (Yes, we do have many places to pick berries!) But for those who have never attended our festival, here are a few reasons to zip into my town for a visit.
1. Blueberries… everything blueberries! Yummy! Pie eating contest!
My son is a master pancake flipper
2. Blueberry pancake breakfast on Sat & Sun. We serve 4,000 hungry folks. My family has been working the breakfast for years, so come on it and I’ll take a break to chat.
Gypsy Lady and her wares3. Medieval Village & Renaissance Faire. Montrose is Scottish for “mountain of roses”. In this hilly farming community, many wild roses grow around fields and in ditches. Working with the knowledge of our Scottish heritage and members from the greater Renaissance Festival folk from the Shiabruck Medieval Village, we’ve put together an amazing village and faire. Stop by and meet my special friends, Gypsy and Hagrid. Gypsy made the original necklace Mike McAlister wears in Lonely Soul.
4. The awesome parade.
5. Farmers Market. The best food to put into your body is wholesome home grown! You simply must get one of Amy’s fruit breads!!!
6. Flea Market and craft show. I lose myself in there every year; the boys have to lure me out with chocolate.
7. Softball, 5-mile road race and horseshoes. Great opportunities to see some shirtless men! Did I just write that?
8. Mud Drag & Mud Bog for those who still enjoy playing in the mud.
9. The golf scramble is fun and works up an appetite.
10. Demolition Derby. A great way to take out aggression.
11. The Karaoke contestwith a $500 prize. No… you will never hear me. I’d scare everyone away.
12. Wine & Cheese Tasting is a favorite of my coffee club gal pals.
13. Classic Car Show.
Throughout the town and township, there are a ton of rummage sales offering wonderful treasures. I hope many of you take a break from your busy schedule and visit. If I’m available, I’ll let you know where the best goodies are. Hugs!
Visit www.montroseblueberryfestival.net/for more info.
1. Blueberries… everything blueberries! Yummy! Pie eating contest!
My son is a master pancake flipper2. Blueberry pancake breakfast on Sat & Sun. We serve 4,000 hungry folks. My family has been working the breakfast for years, so come on it and I’ll take a break to chat.
Gypsy Lady and her wares3. Medieval Village & Renaissance Faire. Montrose is Scottish for “mountain of roses”. In this hilly farming community, many wild roses grow around fields and in ditches. Working with the knowledge of our Scottish heritage and members from the greater Renaissance Festival folk from the Shiabruck Medieval Village, we’ve put together an amazing village and faire. Stop by and meet my special friends, Gypsy and Hagrid. Gypsy made the original necklace Mike McAlister wears in Lonely Soul.4. The awesome parade.
5. Farmers Market. The best food to put into your body is wholesome home grown! You simply must get one of Amy’s fruit breads!!!
6. Flea Market and craft show. I lose myself in there every year; the boys have to lure me out with chocolate.7. Softball, 5-mile road race and horseshoes. Great opportunities to see some shirtless men! Did I just write that?
8. Mud Drag & Mud Bog for those who still enjoy playing in the mud.
9. The golf scramble is fun and works up an appetite.
10. Demolition Derby. A great way to take out aggression.
11. The Karaoke contestwith a $500 prize. No… you will never hear me. I’d scare everyone away.
12. Wine & Cheese Tasting is a favorite of my coffee club gal pals.
13. Classic Car Show.
Throughout the town and township, there are a ton of rummage sales offering wonderful treasures. I hope many of you take a break from your busy schedule and visit. If I’m available, I’ll let you know where the best goodies are. Hugs!
Visit www.montroseblueberryfestival.net/for more info.
#HumpDayHottie
It's Blueberry Festival Time.I recon this here fella is goin give me a ride...to the flea market and car show.Then...to the beer tent.I'll be ridin' all night long.
August 11, 2015
#TuesdayTeaser from Handcuffs & Silk
“Grow up, Hunter. Drop this damn beta act and be the alpha you were born to be.”
Hunter glared at his brother for a moment. “Seriously, I feel like there‟s something missing. Maybe I‟m looking for something more permanent. Maybe this one-night stand shit is just that... bullshit. I want to be normal, have a normal life.”
“Are you turning vanilla on me?”
“I don‟t know.”
“From the way you‟ve been whining since you arrived in Vegas,” Jason laughed, “I almost think you‟re in a nesting mode.”
“Nesting?”
“It‟s an old wives‟ term for when a woman is preparing her house for the arrival of a baby.” His voice turned demanding. “I‟m seeing a strong independence as if you‟re trying to take control of your life. Tell me right now what you want.”
“I want to love, be loved. I want to feel secure. I want a yard, a dog, kids. I want to be exceedingly happy. Is that too much to ask?” Hunter sighed. “God, I sound like a pussy.”
“That‟s a pretty big list for Santa to fill.”
“I‟m so done with the club shit and sex games.”
“Okay, so I can understand wanting to leave the clubs and everything.” Jason spoke in a gentler tone.
“Have you ever truly felt pleasure simply by pleasuring another?”
“I was a lousy sub.” Hunter spoke the words locked in his mind for months.
“You can have it all, you know. Go after what you want. Make it happen.” Jason turned on the barstool and faced the door. “By the way, how will you know her when she walks in?”
“I won‟t.” Hunter thumbed the stem of a blood-red rose laying on the bar next to his drink. “Madame Eve just told me to dress all in black and bring this rose. She said Stephanie would be able to pick me out of a crowd.”
“Stephanie.” Jason rolled the name on his tongue. “What do you know about this woman?”
“Not much. I just have to put faith in Madame Eve and her matchmaking skills.”
“Well, we‟ll see.” With that said, he nodded in the direction of the door. “Pick up your rose.”
Available on AMAZON
Hunter glared at his brother for a moment. “Seriously, I feel like there‟s something missing. Maybe I‟m looking for something more permanent. Maybe this one-night stand shit is just that... bullshit. I want to be normal, have a normal life.”
“Are you turning vanilla on me?”
“I don‟t know.”
“From the way you‟ve been whining since you arrived in Vegas,” Jason laughed, “I almost think you‟re in a nesting mode.”
“Nesting?”
“It‟s an old wives‟ term for when a woman is preparing her house for the arrival of a baby.” His voice turned demanding. “I‟m seeing a strong independence as if you‟re trying to take control of your life. Tell me right now what you want.”
“I want to love, be loved. I want to feel secure. I want a yard, a dog, kids. I want to be exceedingly happy. Is that too much to ask?” Hunter sighed. “God, I sound like a pussy.”
“That‟s a pretty big list for Santa to fill.”
“I‟m so done with the club shit and sex games.”
“Okay, so I can understand wanting to leave the clubs and everything.” Jason spoke in a gentler tone.
“Have you ever truly felt pleasure simply by pleasuring another?”
“I was a lousy sub.” Hunter spoke the words locked in his mind for months.
“You can have it all, you know. Go after what you want. Make it happen.” Jason turned on the barstool and faced the door. “By the way, how will you know her when she walks in?”
“I won‟t.” Hunter thumbed the stem of a blood-red rose laying on the bar next to his drink. “Madame Eve just told me to dress all in black and bring this rose. She said Stephanie would be able to pick me out of a crowd.”
“Stephanie.” Jason rolled the name on his tongue. “What do you know about this woman?”
“Not much. I just have to put faith in Madame Eve and her matchmaking skills.”
“Well, we‟ll see.” With that said, he nodded in the direction of the door. “Pick up your rose.”
Available on AMAZONAugust 10, 2015
Just a Splash of Summertime Citrus
So you're going to the antique festival with your honey and it's 90 degees out. Put your hair up and wear something cute made out of lightweight cotton. I suggest carrying a small spray bottle of this citrus mixture for a quick cool down.
I like to use a small canning jar to mix then pour what I need into a small glass spritzer bottle. Squeeze thejuice from a lime, filter out the pulp and pour the juice into the jar. Add 1/2 cup rubbing alcohol and 3 teaspoons lemon or orange extract or a couple drops of essential oil. Screw the lid on tight and shake well then pour what you need into the spray bottle. Store it in a cooler for added effect. When you feel overheated, give yourself a spritz for a great way to cool down.
If you decide to store any extra for another day, be sure to label it so nobody will try to consume it.
I like to use a small canning jar to mix then pour what I need into a small glass spritzer bottle. Squeeze thejuice from a lime, filter out the pulp and pour the juice into the jar. Add 1/2 cup rubbing alcohol and 3 teaspoons lemon or orange extract or a couple drops of essential oil. Screw the lid on tight and shake well then pour what you need into the spray bottle. Store it in a cooler for added effect. When you feel overheated, give yourself a spritz for a great way to cool down.
If you decide to store any extra for another day, be sure to label it so nobody will try to consume it.
August 7, 2015
Fetish Friday Writing Handcuffs & Silk
Handcuffs & Silk started out as a sweet romance. A simple one night stand between a lady cop and a lawyer sounded easy but somewhere along the line the characters took over the story and sexed it up. Bring out the leather and restraints...I was off to write about something I had no idea about.So what did I do?
What any good author does... RESEARCH. Here's where hubby has that Cheshire Cat grin. No, really... I've been pouring over books (fiction & non-fiction), interviewing various Doms and subs and letting my imagination go.
According to Wikipedia: BDSM is a consensual lifestyle choice, or type of adult role-play between two or more individuals. The compound acronym, BDSM, is derived from the terms bondageand discipline (B&D), dominance and submission (D&S), and sadism and masochism (S&M). BDSM includes a wide spectrum of activities, forms of interpersonal relationships, and distinct subcultures.
I found the best help on the subject (other than personal interviews) turned out to be the online site Seekers. This site states, "D/s is a lifestyle choice, Domination and submission, where people live their lives opting by nature to be either Dominant or submissive. In a relationship the one complements the other and is based on the gift of submission, and absolute trust."
I must say this sight was not only helpful with my work, but I thought the owners handled the subject in a fundamental and kindly manner.
Writing Handcuffs & Silk became a whole new experience for me and opened a door I always thought was best kept closed. Not only am I becoming a better writer because of my research but I've also developed a sincere respect for my friends who delve into this world. Hubby and I won't be visiting a dungeon any time soon, but he certainly enjoys being my research assistant."Never be afraid to ask questions, the answers may amaze you.
