Cerise DeLand's Blog, page 30

Cerise went to #Paris, visited #Compiegne where #WWI #Armistice was signed

On our recent trip to Paris, we visited the town north of the capital city, Compiegne.

Traveling by train, we passed the stop for Chantilly. (Do page down and read the post for that marvelous experience seeing a grand chateau.)

But we journeyed on to Compiegne. In this small and charming town sits the Imperial Palace. Built as a hunting lodge, the palace was once the favorite of Louis XIII, his son Louis XIV, Napoleon Bonaparte and finally his nephew, Emperor Napoleon III.
With beautiful artifacts from all reigns, the palace is a delight and I will write about it  and show you pictures in future.

But today, I wish to show you pictures of the forest of Compiegne where military leaders signed the Armistice to end the Great War.

Here in a clearing where the trains came to bring leaders to the area is a small building which houses the replica of the car in which the treaty was signed. Also in this building are other memorabilia, including an incomparable set of photographs reproduced nowhere else.
In the courtyard stand numerous plaques honoring famous battles of Le Grande Guerre.  Here to the left you see the main monument "To the Heroic Soldiers of France, Defenders of the Country and the Glorious Liberation of Alsace and Lorraine."
Depot housing replica of train car.
A second view of train depot.
Train car replica. Original car burnt in fire.
Statue of last French Commander
in Chief during the war, General Foch.
Hotel de Ville, Compiegne!
The three burgers atop the Hotel de Ville in the central square of Compiegne.
One of the memorial benches in the clearing, this one
to those who fought in Chemin Des Dames.

THE STANHOPE CHALLENGE 15 weeks in Top 8! Grateful for #Regency #novel success!

BUY LINKS:
ALLROMANCE ebooks https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-thestanhopechallengeregencyquartet4regencyromances-1666892-166.htm
AMAZON: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00PCJR1MY/ref=rdr_kindle_ext_tmb
Nook: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/THE-STANHOPE-CHALLENGE?store=allproducts&keyword=THE+STANHOPE+CHALLENGE
Kobo: http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/the-stanhope-challenge


   Today marks the 15th week that THE STANHOPE CHALLENGE has ranked in Top 8 in Amazon Regency best seller list. I am so grateful to all of you who have bought this quartet about four brothers who try to avoid marriage, love and the family curse!

   Overwhelmed and rather giddy, too, I celebrate every day...and sometimes EVERY HOUR when I check in to see how well you have received this set of stories!

   As you read this, I prepare to go to WILD WICKED WEEKEND (www.wildwickedweekend.com ) with my hostess pals. Yes, I am MC and make the trains run on time!

   I am also madly excited about a new event with 5 fabulous REGENCY authors as we prepare a box set of Regency romances, starring heroes of WATERLOO Battle and the women they adore! Look for that box set for 99 cents on the 200th Anniversary of the battle, June 18th. With an international group of sterling authors, this set will tickle your fancy.

   In the meantime, please do continue to enjoy my other Regencies in my Regency Romp series. First was LADY VARNEY'S RISQUE BUSINESS, and second RENDEZVOUS WITH A DUKE. Soon the third will debut, MASQUERADE WITH A MARQUESS.
 
   Happy Reading and many many thanks from this grateful author!
Add caption  
LADY VARNEY’S RISQUE BUSINESS, Regency Romp #1 Amazon   ARe : NOOK:   KOBO:  
                                       RENDEZVOUS WITH A DUKE, Regency Romp #2 Amazon     ARe     BarnesandNoble     KOBO

17 Workshops any Author needs! EPICON in San Antonio March 13-14! $224.00 to Register

EPICon-2015March 12 - 14, 2015Menger Hotel, San Antonio, TexasCall (800) 345-9285 and use discount code 031115EPIC or book online and use discount code EPICON

SIGN UP NOW! www.epicorg.com

EPICON: the con every #author needs to attend! $224.00 in San Antonio March 13!

You have Writers Block, Rejection Blues, Pitiful Plotting and Cliched Characters.
You need a dose of Epicon.
Fast!
Register and call us in April! We know you'll be happy!

EPICon-2015March 12 - 14, 2015Menger Hotel, San Antonio, TexasCall (800) 345-9285 and use discount code 031115EPIC or book online and use discount code EPICON Download the conference brochure. Questions: epicon@epicorg.com
DOWNLOAD THE AGENDA BROCHURE:
https://www.epicorg.com/images/stories/Downloads/EPICon%202015%20Brochure%20and%20Schedule.pdf

Cerise went to #Paris #France and visited the king's chapel, #Saint Chappelle

Metro stop across from Justice
near Saint ChappelleA delightful 80 degree sun-filled afternoon in October, my husband and I hopped the Metro, emerging here (at this stop) from our apartment in Montmarte to tour Saint Chappelle!

Across the street, hundreds of other tourists and Frenchmen decided it was a great day to see Saint Chappelle and stood in a very long line. Hoping it moved quickly, we joined the throng.  Within the hour, we were inside this church built by and for a king.

Next to the Palais de Justice in the Cite, this lovely cathedral was built by Louis IX for himself and his family. With a private corridor, that led from his private residence to the upper chamber (see picture below), he was able to sit, yes, above the crowd to pray.

The main entrance to
Sint Chappell showing
Mary and Child.


An extremely devout man, Louis spared no expense on this gorgeous chapel. The delicacy of the decor on the pillars in the main hall (or main floor) astonished me. This lower level was the place of worship for all in the royal household. Still here below, we have a statue of Louis.
Gold filigree on the pillars in the lower chapel.






Louis IX in the lower chapel.
Climbing the winding narrow stairs to the royal chapel, we entered a truly brilliant church illuminated by the kaleidoscope of colored stained glass.  Unique among France's medieval churches, this one is ornate to the finest detail. I attempt here to show you a few examples. And yet, do know that ongoing renovations here meant that canvas obscured a few of the windows. And the light we might have enjoyed was cut.

Still on your own trip, which I hope will be soon, do take in this gorgeous example of Regnant Medieval architecture. Inspiring, this church must have also been terribly expensive to build. Marvelous that it still stands for us to admire!

The king's chapel with main altar. The king would enter from his private corridor to the left of the gold cupola
and sit there to hear the priest say mass.
Detail of one side window.
Detail of pillar carvings which are representations of heroes from the Bible.

Another view. Note the wealth of gold leaf and finite detail of the painting. Yes, the exterior! More gargoyles! Friendly little fellows!

Hot SAN ANTONIO NIGHTS #99cents #box set by Desiree Holt, Regina Carlysle, Samantha Cayto, Cerise DeLand

BUY LINKS:Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/San-Antonio-Nights-Desiree-Holt-ebook/dp/B00T3IUKYQ/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1422914319&sr=1-1&keywords=san+antonio+nights
Kobo  http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/san-antonio-nights
All Romanceebooks.com      https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-sanantonionights-1734416-340.htmlFor a limited time, this hot hot hot box set, SAN ANTONIO NIGHTS, Anthology of Spicy Romances by hostesses of Wild Wicked Weekend is available for only 99 cents!
RUN, do not walk!SAN ANTONIO NIGHTS are steamier than ever and love waits around every corner of the elegant Menger Hotel. With the lights of the River Walk to guide their ways, unlikely partners explore the boundaries of passion in these four tales of instant attraction, improbable meetings, paranormal desires and friends drawn together through tragedy. Hot and unbearably sexy, lovers merge hopes and dreams under the spell of those San Antonio Nights.
GHOST OF A CHANCE by Desiree Holt
Focused on the weekend conference, Jordan Kyle never expected a mysterious stranger would tantalize her senses and invade her dreams. Maybe he was one of The Menger Hotel’s famous ghosts—or was he?
WILL YOU LOVE ME TOMORROW by Cerise DeLand
When Abby Stuart gives up her first class seat to a stranger in a bright white Navy uniform, she figures it’s a good deed. Not an invitation to a quick tumble into bed with him. Or learning that they had a past...and wondering if they have a future.
JESSE’S GIRL by Regina Carlysle
When tragedy strikes bringing childhood friends Camryn Bennet and Jesse Carver together again, the connection is instant. Jesse had long believed the young girl he’d known then would grow up to be a hell of an interesting woman but nothing prepares him for the hot flash of attraction. What was once forbidden is now possible and there’s not a moment to waste in making Camryn his.
ONE NIGHT STAND by Samantha Cayto
Brenden didn’t plan on a business trip turning into his first BDSM experience.
Gareth was expecting a one night stand, but a single taste of Brenden isn’t enough. *** Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/San-Antonio-Nights-Desiree-Holt-ebook/dp/B00T3IUKYQ/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1422914319&sr=1-1&keywords=san+antonio+nights

Kobo  http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/san-antonio-nights

All Romanceebooks.com     https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-sanantonionights-1734416-340.html[image error]Barnes and Noble and iTunes: COMING SOON![image error] [image error]The Belle Femme Authors is a group of dedicated writers who not only love to tell a spicy story but are the greatest of friends to boot. Each year in February, authors Desiree Holt, Brenna Zinn, Cerise Deland, Samantha Cayto, Dalton Diaz and Regina Carlysle host the Wild Wicked Weekend, a three-day author/reader convention in beautiful San Antonio, Texas. It’s a wild, wicked girls’ weekend out and a not-to-be-missed event.
http://www.wildwickedweekend.com 

This February 19, Belle Femme hosts their 3rd Annual Wild Wicked Weekend.  For those who attend, this box set is our gift in their registration package! Available for pre-order now on many sites, the box set can be bought February 21, 2015!

RED HOT Authors Present RED HOT Cajun Nights! Let the Good Times Roll for 99 cents!

Red Hot AuthorsPresentRed Hot Cajun Nights Blog HopFebruary 1 - 7
This Mardi Gras Season, Let the Sinful Good Times Roll!
Come check out our blog hop, with Grand Prizes of: 1) A Kindle2) A box of paperback books3) Swag from each authorAdded to this, each author has more prizes to give away at their blog.
Start here by hopping to each of these blogs and entering the Rafflecopter contest, then leave a comment on the blog for your chance to win that author’s prizes.
Desiree Holt at www.desiremeonly.comMagen McMinimy at http://www.magenmcminimy.com/Jodi Redford at http://jodiredford.blogspot.comRandi Alexander at http://randialexander.com/blog-3/Christin Lovell at www.christinlovell.comRene Folsom at www.renefolsom.comSable Hunter at http://sablehunter.com/Shyla Colt at www.shylacoltsstraightshot.wordpress.com
Want to win even more prizes? We’re having a huge Mardi Gras Facebook Party on Tuesday, February 17. Click on the link then Join the party to hang out with us on Mardi Gras Day. You know we’re going to have some sinfully awesome giveaways! https://www.facebook.com/events/1401340946828665/
Good luck, and be sure to come and read about our brand new Mardi Gras books as well as every book from each of our Red Hot holiday collections: http://redhotauthors.com/red-hot-cajun-nights/

Lisabet Sarai's hot BDSM Stories in 1 SIZZLING package!

D&S Duos Book 1 combines two of Lisabet Sarai's hottest BDSM short stories into one sizzling package. In "Body Electric", a professor of engineering charms his female colleague into experiments on the erotic effects of electricity. In "Limits", an established Master/slave couple push their relationship to next level of trust - blood sports. Also includes a searing excerpt from Lisabet's BDSM erotic thriller Bangkok Noir.
EXCERPT:
"You! Come over here." I started, my meditations interrupted by a rich, unfamiliar voice. The female crowd around Moresby had dispersed, and sure enough, he was beckoning to me.
Rude, I thought, but I obeyed him anyway.
"I don't know you, do I?" He smiled down at me. My brief irritation at his lack of manners melted away in the heat of that smile.
"I'm Colette D'Arpignay. I just joined the Department of Languages and Literature this semester."
"Oh, right! The Sex Professor!"
I felt the blood rising in my cheeks. "Oh dear! I didn't realize that sobriquet had spread outside my own department."
"Never mind. It doesn't hurt to have a bit of a racy reputation. Makes you more interesting." He scanned my body, not even trying to disguise his lascivious interest. "The question is, do you deserve it?"
Coming on February 6th – D&S Duos Book 2!
Brief Bio
LISABET SARAI occasionally tackles other genres, but BDSM will always be her first love. Every one of her nine novels includes some element of power exchange, while her D/s short stories range from mildly kinky to intensely perverse. Learn more at http://www.lisabetsarai.com.
Links:
Website: http://www.lisabetsarai.comBlog: http://lisabetsarai.blogspot.comGoodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/83387.Lisabet_SaraiAmazon: http://www.amazon.com/author/lisabetsaraiYahoo group: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/lisabets_list
M/f BDSM EroticaPublished January 2, 2015 by Excessica.comApproximately 10,000 words
Twitter: Check out the first book in Lisabet Sarai’s new BDSM series, D&S Duos: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00RODBLXQ/
#bdsmerotica #electricplay #bloodsports
Buy Links:
Amazon UShttp://www.amazon.com/D-S-Duos-Book-1-ebook/dp/B00RODBLXQ/
Amazon UKhttp://www.amazon.co.uk/D-S-Duos-Book-1-ebook/dp/B00RODBLXQ/
Barnes & Noblehttp://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/d-s-duos-lisabet-sarai/1121014936?ean=2940150090774
Kobohttp://www.kobobooks.com/ebook/D-S-Duos-Book-1/book-HVGb3fPkwEuGOcZa6bRveQ/page1.html

iTunes UShttps://itunes.apple.com/us/book/d-s-duos-book-1/id958179983?mt=11&uo=4
Excessicahttp://www.excessica.com/books/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=6&products_id=804

#COWBOY 12 Pack! Wow! What a box set this is! Pre-order now!

If you love sexy cowboy romance books, get ready for a 12-pack of 'em from New York Times and USA Today bestselling authors!Cowboy 12 Pack is available for preorder (releases January 20th) Featuring:

A COWBOY'S SEDUCTION - Cynthia D'Alba 
SADIE AND HER COWBOY - Paige Tyler 
THE BILLIONAIRE HUSBAND TEST - Elle James 
HER UNIFORM COWBOY - Donna Michaels 
I AM NOT YOUR MELODY - Shoshanna Evers 
CHASE AND SEDUCTION - Randi Alexander 
THE COWBOY WINS A BRIDE - Cora Seton 
THE HARDER THEY FALL - Beth Williamson 
THE REAL MCCOY - Sabrina York 
BADASS - Sable Hunter 
COWBOYS NEVER FOLD - Lexi Post 
CUPID'S COWBOY - Becky McGraw 

The Real McCoy by Sabrina YorkWhen Crystal Wilson gets roped into a wild, girls-only weekend at a rowdy “stud” ranch, the last thing she wants to do is tangle with a bunch of half-naked men pretending to be cowboys. But when she meets Ford McCoy, she can’t help but be attracted to his dark, dominant, gruff appeal.What she doesn’t know is that Ford isn’t a stripper. He’s her friend’s overprotective brother, there to make sure his little sister doesn’t get into any trouble. She’s surprised at the passion that flares between them. In fact, what she has with Ford might just be what she’s been looking for all along.It’s a pity the sexy rancher isn’t in the market for a city girl.
READ AN EXCERPT
She shouldn’t have taken the shot.For God’s sake, what had she been thinking? She’d been on a low-carb, low-calorie diet—with no alcohol—for a month. Not because Blaine had called her fat. That had nothing to do with it. She just wanted… She just wanted to do it for herself. Yeah.It wasn’t like he was coming back or anything. And it wasn’t like she’d let him.But it would be awesome to run into him somewhere, say the bank or the coffee shop or that bar on Grill Street, looking like a vixen. She only had ten pounds to go to hit vixen weight. It was a helluva ten pounds. They didn’t seem to want to budge.And damn, she really wanted something to eat.And damn, the tequila had hit her hard.So hard she’d left the weekend kickoff party—although, to be honest, she’d wanted to leave since the pumping music and the grinding bodies and the strobing lights were starting to make her eyelid twitch. As down-home country as the bedrooms were at this ranch-slash-resort, they sure knew how to throw a bacchanal at night.It was pleasanter out here behind the house, staring up at the stars and enjoying the kiss of a soft breeze. There were no sounds but the rustle of the leaves in the trees, the crickets and the occasional croak of a frog.Her head hardly spun at all.She leaned back and closed her eyes and imagined how amazing it would feel to be twenty-one again and interested in those kinds of men. To rub against a hard chest and feel his thickly muscled arms hold her close.But none of those boys had ignited a flicker of interest in her. They’d all been rubbed smooth. Although several of them, and one in particular, had made it clear he wanted to dance for her.It was a damn shame.It would have been fun.What kind of man would she want, if she wanted a man? Tall, for sure. Broad. Hard. Rough. Maybe a little wicked twinkle in his eye.A door slammed to her right and her eyes flew open. She blinked as a man strode toward her through the shadows. Her heart lurched and the breath caught in her throat. Yes, her heart whispered. Yes. That was the kind of man she wanted.He was big, and broad and roped with muscle. His stride was sure, determined and powerful. He wore boots that kicked up dust with every step, and chaps and even a Stetson. He had high cheekbones and a well-formed brow. His square chin was spattered with a dark shadow. His shirt was buttoned.He looked like a real cowboy.He looked like a man.This guy could dance for her. No problem. She’d love to have him rub himself all over her—His steps stalled as he caught sight of her.“Well, hey there, cowboy,” she purred. It was probably the tequila purring, but he didn’t seem to care. He peered into the shadows.She did him the favor of moving into the light. She liked that his nostrils flared and his throat worked. He touched the brim of his hat. “Ma’am.”Ooh. Ma’am.Sexy. This stripper knew how to play a role.“You’re late,” she said.He blinked. “Late?”“The party’s already started.” She sidled up to him—again, the tequila; normally she would never sidle up to anybody—and put her hand on his chest. The muscles rippled in response and something inside her rippled as well. It was probably her womb. Crying out for a visitor.It had been a while, after all.She leaned closer, against him, and it was good. She nestled her nose in his beautiful neck and took a whiff. And daham, he smelled sinful. Wicked. Alluring.“What is that fragrance?” she asked. She needed to know. Wanted to bathe in it.He chuckled; the sound rumbled through her. “Soap.”“Mmm. Yummy.” She scudded her palm over his chest, his thick arms and down to his trim waist. He held steady as she explored, staring at her through insanely thick lashes. It should be illegal for a man to have lashes like that. His features were locked and hard. A muscle ticked in his cheek. “You’re hard,” she murmured. Oh, God, he was.“Yes, ma’am. I am.” This he said in a low purr, one that gave a sizzle of double entendre to the words.Something cracked inside her. It was probably the remainder of her pickled restraint. He was the hottest man she’d ever seen, much less touched. His heat soaked into her and melted her, liquefied her.She couldn’t stop her roving exploration and wouldn’t have anyway. Her hand drifted lower. His body tightened, his breath hitched as she reached his belt. And then she found him.Her knees locked. Her pulse rocketed through her veins. Because Jesus God, he wasn’t just hard, he was rock hard.“Nice.” A whisper, all she could manage. She gave him a little pump.He hissed in a breath and said through his teeth, “Yeah. Nice.” His hand came to her waist. He stroked her bare skin beneath the hem of her tee. His calluses scraped her sanity.“You are the most authentic of all of them,” she murmured, kissing his neck.He grunted and pulled her closer, cupping her ass, measuring it with a squeeze. “Most authentic?”“Of all the strippers.”He stilled for a moment and she sensed he was about to pull away, which she could not allow. He was far too delicious to give up. So she nibbled his chin. She loved the bristles of his stubble. And he tasted…like a man. More man than she’d ever had.She released her hold on him and pressed her hips against his, wrapped herself around him, hooking her leg around his. The feel of his body, hot and hard, plastered against hers from chest to groin, made her mouth water.He allowed it, but then he did pull back. But it wasn’t far, and it was so he could stare down at her face, so she didn’t mind. His breath washed over her and she had the sudden compulsion to taste his mouth. Not a need or a whim. A compulsion.“You think I’m the most authentic of all the strippers?” She had no idea why he was smiling, but she liked his smile. Especially the dent that appeared on his left cheek. Everything about him pushed each and every one of her buttons. They were rusty buttons, but he pushed them.“You are. You really do it better than any of them. You sure look like a real cowboy. Baby, you could rope and tie me…”“Sounds…interesting.”She stroked his back, reveling in the bulge of his muscles as she made her way down to his ass, which she squeezed as well. “And you’re really well built.”“Thank you?”“For a stripper.”“Right.”“I wouldn’t mind if you gave me a lap dance at all.”“You…wouldn’t?”“Not at all.”“I’m…flattered.”“Would you like to?”His brow arched. It was a striking, manly brow. “Like to?”“Give me a lap dance?”“You have no idea.”She liked the tenor of his voice, despite the fact there was a laugh hidden in it. She raked her nails along the back of his neck and he shivered. So she walked her fingers into his hair, ignoring that she tipped his Stetson clean off.God, his hair was soft. Dark curls. Silky and thick.Their gazes locked. His smile faded. Tension hummed between them. Then she tugged his head down and took his lips.
COWBOY 12 PACK
A COWBOY'S SEDUCTION - Award-Winning Author Cynthia D'Alba - Sparks fly when an exhausted cowboy, on a forced tropical vacation, meets an uptight accountant in a bikini. As the seduction game begins, two weeks never looked so short.

SADIE AND HER COWBOY - USA Today Bestselling Author Paige Tyler - A beautiful ranch owner hires an infamous gunslinger to protect her against a ruthless cattle baron, but risks losing everything when she falls for the sexy hired gun

THE BILLIONAIRE HUSBAND TEST - NYT & USA Today Bestselling Author Elle James - Skeptical billionaire takes a risk on a friend's dating service and finds the cowgirl of his dreams, only he has to convince her he's her perfect match.

HER UNIFORM COWBOY - Donna Michaels - Texas Guardsman never planned his attraction to a curvy, military-hating Pennsylvanian, or saddling her with his stress issues. Will the town’s newest resident support him, or abandon him like others in his past?

I AM NOT YOUR MELODY - NYT & USA Today Bestselling Author Shoshanna Evers - The baddest cowboy in Bear Creek Saddle partners with a sassy new bartender to save the family business. His rules: Don’t kill her. Don’t kiss her. And don’t fall in love.

CHASE AND SEDUCTION - USA Today Bestselling Author Randi Alexander - Country music superstar Chase Tanner is determined to seduce screenplay writer Reno Linden. She risks the plunge into Chase’s arms, but will their attraction survive the glitz and stress of fame?

THE COWBOY WINS A BRIDE - NYT & USA Today Bestselling Author Cora Seton –Jamie Lassiter just made the bet of his life—He’s got six weeks to prove to Claire Cruz he’s the man for her, or pay for her round-the-world trip.

THE HARDER THEY FALL - Beth Williamson - Cowboy Hank Beltane has no idea what's in store for him when he tries to seduce the stubborn, beautiful and sexy as hell rodeo owner TJ Maguire.

THE REAL MCCOY - NYT & USA Today Bestselling Author Sabrina York - At a wild, girls-only weekend at a rowdy “stud” ranch, she meets the gruff, dominant man of her dreams. It’s too bad the sexy stripper is only a pretend cowboy…or is he?

BADASS - Amazon Bestselling Author Sable Hunter - Isaac McCoy - Badass Isaac McCoy, as at home on a Harley as he is on a horse, is in love with the preacher's daughter— the angel of Kerr County—and that will never do.

COWBOYS NEVER FOLD – Award-Winning Author Lexi Post – When a cowboy honors a promise by working at a nudist resort, he discovers that to win the sexy owner's heart he must go all-in, which could mean baring more than his soul.

CUPID'S COWBOY - Amazon Bestselling Author Becky McGraw - Struggling country singer is struck by cupids arrow when delivering a breakup singing telegram on Valentine's Day to a beautiful music exec who could make all his dreams come true. 

PREORDER NOW! (Coming January 20th)Kobo: http://bit.ly/1H4M25u

Amazon: http://amzn.to/11sGMZb

IBooks: http://bit.ly/1xyPCSu

Nook: http://bit.ly/1BL0uiS

BioAbout Sabrina York Her Royal Hotness, Sabrina York, is the New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author of hot, humorous stories for smart and sexy readers. Her titles range from sweet & sexy to scorching erotic romance.  Connect with her on twitter @sabrina_york, on Facebook or on Pintrest. Check out Sabrina’s books and read an excerpt on Amazonor wherever e-books are sold. Visit her webpage at www.sabrinayork.com to check out her books, excerpts and contests. Free Teaser Book: http://sabrinayork.com/home-2/sabrina-yorks-teaser-book/And don’t forget to enter to win the royal tiara!
Like my Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/author/sabrinayorkLike my Facebook Author Page https://www.facebook.com/SabrinaYorkBooksFollow me on Twitter @sabrina_york https://twitter.com/sabrina_yorkFollow me on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5817917.Sabrina_YorkCheck out my Pintrest boards: http://www.pinterest.com/sabrinayork/boards/
Books by Sabrina York
NEW!Snow Angels (Calendar Men Series from Decadent Publishing)  The Real McCoy--in the Cowboy 12 Pack
Wired Series—Erotic Contemporary Romance  Adam’s Obsession (Ellora’s Cave) Book 1Tristan’s Temptation (Ellora’s Cave) Book 2Making Over Maris (Ellora’s Cave/FemDom) Book 2
Noble Passions Series—Erotic RegencyFolly (Ellora’s Cave) Book 1Dark Fancy (Ellora’s Cave) Book 2Dark Duke (Ellora’s Cave)   Book 3Brigand (Ellora’s Cave) Book 4 Defiant (Ellora’s Cave) Book 5
Tryst Island Series—Erotic Contemporary Romance  Rebound: A Tryst Island Erotic Romance (Erotic Contemporary) Book 1Dragonfly Kisses: A Tryst Island Erotic Romance (Erotic Contemporary) Book 2 Smoking Holt: A Tryst Island Erotic Romance (Erotic Contemporary/BDSM) Book 3Heart of Ash: A Tryst Island Erotic Romance (Erotic Contemporary) Book 4Devlin’s Dare: A Tryst island Erotic Romance (Erotic Contemporary) Book 5Parker’s Passion: A Tryst island Erotic Romance (Erotic Contemporary) Book 6
Anthologies and CollectionsHeartbreak on a Stick (Hometown Heroes: Hotter Ever After Collection)Five Alarm Fire (Erotic Contemporary for the High Octane Heroes Anthology, Cleis Press)A Cowboy for Delilah (Erotic Contemporary for the Cowboy Heat Anthology, Cleis Press)Saving Charlotte (Erotic Contemporary for the Smokin' Hot Firemen Anthology, Cleis Press) Stone Hard Seal (Hot Alpha Seals: Military Romance Megaset)The Real McCoy--in the Cowboy 12 PackWhipped--in the WTRAFSOG Collection #8  
Short Stories/NovellasExtreme Couponing (Erotic Contemporary/BDSM, Ellora’s Cave)Fierce (One Night Stand, Decadent Press)Pushing Her Buttons (Erotic Contemporary/BDSM, Ellora’s Cave)Man Hungry (Erotic Contemporary, Ellora’s Cave)Rising Green (Erotic Horror, Ellora’s Cave) Snow Angels (Calendar Men Series from Decadent Publishing)  Training Tess (Erotic Contemporary/BDSM, Ellora’s Cave)Trickery (Erotic Contemporary with Magical Elements, Ellora’s Cave Hex Line)
Fantasy
Lust Eternal (Erotic Fantasy, Ellora’s Cave) 

Cerise went to #Paris and discovered all kings and queens of #France buried in Cathedral of Saint Denis!

Gothic Saint Denis undergoes restoration, hence
you see the scaffolding. Inside?
A must-see on your trip to Paris.
Do take the Metro!Travel has become part of who I am personally and professionally. I always did adore seeing all those places I read about as a child, the Tower of London, the Acropolis, Ephesus, Paris, Verdun. But the joy has multiplied in the past ten years as I am able to visit places that bring much more gratification to me than a nod to a bucket list. Always intrigued by the details of incidents in history, I have found a way to travel that gives me a sense of depth and accuracy to the plots and characters in my novels.

Here are a few pictures that give me that little shiver up the spine. In October, when my husband and I went to Paris for two weeks, the very first place we went was the Basilica at Saint Denis.

This gorgeous Gothic church, the first of its type, sits in the northern outskirts of Paris. Yes, you can and should take the Metro to go. As you can see, they are doing major renovations by sandblasting the exterior to give it a "wash" of its soot. Inside, it is quite lovely and the items in there are breath-taking.

While I leave it to you to go read a history of the church and its innovative architecture, I will tell you what seeing this meant to me.

I loved the small exhibit to the side of the church, filled with ancient (we are talking 4-6th century stones from first construction) items. I was intrigued too by the manner in which this cathedral became the burial place for all French kings and many of their nuclear and extended families.

Louis XIV's crypt in wall.Louis XIV is buried here, along with his ancestors and descendants. His crypt with inscription in the
stone wall seems a small but (forgive the word) egalitarian way to bury the man who was anything but an equalizer.  So many kings and queens are buried here, I could have spent the entire day and night and next one there.  But then, it is Paris and one must dine...and so you see that I do have a few priorities when I go hunting.

One absolutely exquisite stone crypt was that of Henry II and his queen Catherine de Medici. No picture of that here of mine, alas. Every time I thought I had a clear shot? BAM. Someone stepped in to admire it. And worthy of that, it is.
A long view of the floor of the cathedral gives
you a sample of the enormous number of royalty buried here.
I give you instead one just as grand, that of Francis I and his first wife, Claude of France. Supposedly, the representation of Francis is true to life. Let me just say that if this is true, Francis was a giant!  His feet alone give testament to that. The other arresting feature of this ensemble is the manner in which Claude has her head thrown back against her pillows as if she's in torment.  Francis certainly gave her a good run-around with all his affairs, personal and other. So perhaps this attitude of hers is representative of her throes in life! His own attitude is one that many art historians say is indicative of  sculpture imitating the dying Christ.
Francis I and his wife Claude of France in their crypt.
Louis XVI and his wife Marie Antoinette.The most poignant sculptures are the effigies of Louis XVI and his wife Marie Antoinette praying. These two are in the main chapel, but their remains and those of any relatives salvageable after the Terror are in repose in the central crypt below the high altar. Here, beneath a huge black granite stone,  they lay.

My last picture for you is one of the outer ramparts. After seeing so many gothic churches in one trip, I am becoming a big fan of gargoyles.


Outer buttresses and gargoyles of Saint Denis.