Catherine Wolffe's Blog, page 10

Romantic Gifts That Don’t Cost a Dime

So, have you got all your shopping done?  Are the presents all wrapped and under the tree?  Or, are you like me, waiting until the last minute and confused about what to get the people on your list?  Is the most confusing person your man?   Mine always says he likes what I’ve given him.  Yet, I wonder sometimes if I couldn’t have done more.

Sometimes the best gifts don’t come in a box with pretty paper and bows on them.  Sometimes it’s what you do that means more than anything.  Here’s a suggestion.

Why not plan a special evening with  just the two of you and take things nice and slow, or not!  Depending on how the evening progresses, you can tempt him with new and special pleasures he may not have seen before.  What you ask?  Well, use your imagination!  The tempting could start with you in a sexy new nightie or nothing but a bow.  Say he’s had a hard day and you meet him at the door with nothing on but a smile.  No man can resist such a treat.  Props for an evening of pleasure could include candles, sexy music, toys – you decide what works best.  The lights down low and maybe a toddy to settle his mind.  Are you and he into games?  Try out a new role play or simply talk dirty to him.  If it’s your first time with dirty talk, I promise he’ll be pleasantly surprised.  He’ll show you how much when you’re alone.  A man likes a woman to be his lady until the bedroom door is closed.  Then he wants a freak!  Don’t be shy – after all, he’s your man.  As they say, ‘What happens behind closed doors…or is that Vegas’?   The outcome can definitely remain your little secret.

Now, I know you have your own ideas, why not share?  I’d love to hear from you.  Keep the season simple and remember what’s important in a relationship – time spent together.  Enjoy and happy holidays.

Click on the pic for a steamy read – The Lady in the Mist at Amazon

Tidbit Tuesday – Casey’s Gunslinger # 2, The Loflin Legacy

Happy to share a snippet from my WIP.  Enjoy!

As your boss, I must warn you that I’m not above ordering you to accompany me to lunch. We have much business to discuss.” The twinkle in his eyes, said he was making light of the statement, yet he held her hand in his without release. “Do indulge me this one time.” Leaning in, he smiled that crooked, totally scandalous smile he saved when he wanted to unnerve her completely.

Due to release in early 2014 – Start the series with Comanche Haven # 1, The Loflin Legacy http://tinyurl.com/asbadal

Click on the link for your copy of Comanche Haven!

Check out my stories on Wattpad.com.

Manday Hotties Blog Hop

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Looking into a man’s eyes is extremely stimulating, don’t you think?  You can tell quickly what he’s thinking or if he’s even paying attention.  These three ‘wise men’ know the meaning of a steamy gaze.  Enjoy!

Like my Amazon author page for a signed bookmark just in time for the holidays. Don’t forget to comment and include your email.

Manday Hotties Blog Hop

Add any of my books to your wish list on Amazon for a free bookmark from me! Just click on this pic for the link. Comment below and send me your email. Happy trails!

Gotta love a cowboy.  Rugged and tough, a cowboy can make you feel like a woman with simply a look!  Let me know what you think of my fella and I’ll certainly share a few more!

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While the Turkey Cooks

Start reading for FREE! Click on the picture for a free sample of the complete book – Comanche Haven. Also free at Barnes & Noble. Download your copy today!

Some of you in cyberspace may remember a television soap opera entitled, ‘As The World Turns’.  As with most daytime soap operas, the heros and heroines dealt in drama after drama, lover after lover and continuation after bla, bla, bla on a daily basis.  You get the point.  Yet, we became hooked on the story lines and found ourselves enthralled in the perils facing the actors.  I hope you’ll join me as I share my version of such a soap opera called ‘While the Turkey Cooks’.  The limited run of this enthralling drama will hopefully whet your appetite for the second book in my western romance drama, The Loflin Legacy.  In this limited soap opera setting, you’ll meet Seth, the rancher and Celia, the half-breed Comanche as they face each other after years apart.  The fire still burns between these two.  So, join me now as we embark on our soap opera journey with an excerpt from ‘Comanche Haven‘…

“Do you need help with your back?”  She rose.

The question came out of the blue.  To his surprise, Celia got up and walked toward the tub.  Leaning over the squat table to retrieve the soap, she began to lather his back.

What was she up to?  Seth stilled in the water.  His next thought had nothing to do with the cooling temperature of the water.  He realized the true reason he’d been driven to get back to the ranch so quickly, which had nothing to do with her safety and everything to do with her.

The stroke of her fingers along his back had him tensing and sent blood rushing to his shaft.  Seth closed his eyes and willed himself to focus on something else.  His back muscles twitched as her hands glided up and down in a slow, rhythmic dance along his backbone.

“Seth, I wanted you to know how much I appreciate all you’ve done for me.” Her voice sounded like distant music. “I don’t think I would have made it without you.”

Trying valiantly to regain his composure, Seth sat in the water in silence for a time.  Her words sounded sincere.  Then as if driven, he slowly leaned back in the tub.  He had to admit, if she was toying with him, she was damn good at deception.  “No need to thank me, Celia.  You’ll always be able to count on me.”  Seth took mental stock one more time and assured himself he was in control.  But the need churning inside him had other ideas.  One look into those emerald green orbs and his heart gave a little lurch.  His mind simply stopped working.

Celia’s fingers continued to glide over his soap-slicked skin.  With each stroke, her fingertips were sending molten heat straight to his loins.

They reminded him of satin.  He wanted more.

Before he realized what he was doing, he reached out and clasped the nape of her neck.  Feeling her start to pull back, Seth whispered, “Relax girl, I won’t hurt you.”  With his eyes on her lips, Seth hesitated briefly, searching for something – anything, which would let him know how she would react.  Then he reached up and took her mouth with his.  The hunger breaking free had nothing to do with sensibilities.  This time he coaxed her mouth to open and let him taste the sweetness of her tongue.  Seth’s pulse hummed as her lips gave warm and tender under his.  She opened for him like a flower and Seth tasted the warmth of her lips, which were pliant against his.  He groaned softly.  She tasted like honey and the line of her throat like cream heated by the sun.  He thoroughly explored the inside of her mouth and then the slender neckline she offered when her head lolled to the side on her own gentle moan.  Slowly he discovered every slick, wet curve of her mouth.  His teeth grazed her lips and tasted the salt of hunger in her response.  Did she want him as much as he wanted her right now?

Celia exhaled and her eyelids fluttered shut.

The hunger growing inside him knew only one end.  Long agile fingers sank deep into the silken strains of her hair as he levered himself up the side of the tub angling for a better hold on her warm skin.  Cupping her head in his big hand, he kissed her again.  This time it was with the fever of need.  A need he’d, long ago, locked away.  It surged up from the cold depths of his own desire and rocked Seth with its intensity.  Taking her mouth in an attack meant to capture and possess, Seth realized too late he was losing the battle with reason, but he’d lost the will to care.  She tasted so good.  Her head fell to the side on another soft sigh of pleasure.  Seth found himself trailing long wet, ardent kisses down her neck.  The soft dip of her collarbone was a perfect place for him to linger.  He could feel the blood pulsing there, just under her skin.  Her smell, the smell of roses was all around him.  Another soft moan escaped.  So full of life, a life he’d thought he’d never hold in his arms again.  The warning bells were going off in his head by then.  His blood was roaring in his ears.  He was in too deep to heed any of it.  He felt like a drowning man with no desire for rescue.

***

Let me know what you thought of the excerpt and you’ll be added to the drawing for a signed copy of ‘Comanche Haven‘, which I’ll be giving away during the release of the second book in the series, ‘Casey’s Gunslinger’ , January, 2014.  Don’t forget to leave your email in the comment.  Thanks and drop by next week for another excerpt in ‘While the Turkey Cooks’.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Casey’s Gunslinger Excerpt to Enjoy in Home for the Holidays Hop hosted by The Romance Troupe

Click on the picture to hop to more blogs with more prizes and a chance at the grand prize!

Home for the holidays is a special time when we all like to gather and share family love and fun.  One of the most requested recipes I get each year is for my dressing.  Here’s the recipe for dressing at our house.  

Cornbread Dressing

1 loaf toasted cornbread                                                                    salt and pepper to taste

6 cups finely chopped celery                                                           10 cups hot stock (chicken or turkey)

6 cups finely chopped onion                                                             enough hot water to make heavy mixture

6 raw eggs, well beaten

12 slices toast, crumbled

1 tsp. sage

Bake the cornbread until brown.  Stir all of the ingredients together with the cornbread.  Pour into a baking pan.  Bake at 325 degrees for approximately one hour and a half, or until brown.  You can check this like a cake.  This recipe is based on Justin Wilson’s #2 Cookbook:  Cookin’ Cajun.  Here’s the Amazon link:  http://tinyurl.com/lxajfpa

Now for something to read while the dressing cooks. 

I’m working on the second book in The Loflin Legacy Series.  Casey’s Gunslinger is the story of a young woman who discovers her father abandoned her as a baby.  She grew up in the same town as her father, but without the family security he gave his two sons.  She returns vowing to have her revenge.  What she doesn’t plan on is falling in love with the most handsome lawyer she’s ever met.

Charles Harrison’s past is one he wishes he could forget.  He’s a lawyer with a reputation for helping the underdog.  When Casey waltzes into his life, all the bad things he’s tried to hide come back to haunt him.  How will he manage to win the girl and bury the past once and for all?

Here’s an excerpt from the upcoming Casey’s Gunslinger

Charles Harrison enjoyed a good cigar more than anything, well, almost anything.  He’d have to say a pretty woman was the best thing a man could enjoy.  Watching a lovely lady walk away was a favorite pastime.  The way her hips swayed causing her skirt to swing side to side in a lazy, come here cowboy, kind of way.  Yes, a pretty woman was special.  Most of them he knew in Tyler and most knew him quite intimately.  Though the memories were fond, they left his mind completely as the delicate young thing in a blue traveling suit stepped off the noon stage.

Charles’ heart stopped.  Well, it stopped for a second at any rate.  Her blond hair showed white in the sunlight.  Her trim figure was petite.  Yes, a delicate little lady to be sure.  At the moment, she wasn’t a happy little lady, though.  No, the baggage handler for the noon stage out of Shreveport had dropped her bags in the dirt without a care for their condition.  The disgust at the insult showed ripe in her cornflower blue eyes.  Charles smiled over his cigar.  Things were about to get interesting.  She sashayed up the steps of the Wells Fargo office with a purpose.  Any fool could see that.  Rapping smartly on the ticket window, she turned slightly and pointed to her bags lying in the dust of the street before glaring at the man atop the stage and proclaiming him the villain with another jab of her finger.

Charles lowered his chair to four legs on the plank walk in front of the mercantile.  Standing, he took a moment to stretch out the kinks.  He’d had a busy morning and relished in the opportunity to enjoy his one vice, a nice imported cigar all the way from Havana.  Expecting his latest client to get off the stage, he was slightly irritated when he didn’t.  That was until she arrived.

Watching the scene transpiring across the street, Charles agreed with the idea he was lucky to be present.  No one, he was acquainted with, could hold a candle to the fine boned, yet curvy blonde with the rosebud mouth, tiny waist and breasts that could fill a man’s hands nicely.  Oh, yes.  Things were looking up.  He smoothed the front of his brocade vest and straightened his coat.  The coal black hair with a sprinkle of gray, which had only recently been trimmed, brushed the edge of his collar.  Stepping off the board sidewalk, Charles squinted right, then left, an old habit.  One he wouldn’t lose anytime soon.  With a hand on the revolver strapped to his left leg, he walked out into the street.

Her voice rang with irritation and accusation.  Continuing to point at the Wells Fargo employee, she did her best to get the ticket clerk to understand, she’d been rudely treated and demanded an apology.  Her chin jutted.  Her hand riding along her hip for emphasis, she cast quite a sight standing there in the noonday heat.

Reminding himself, he needed to breathe, Charles stepped up to introduce himself.  “Pardon me, miss.”  A tip of his dark Stetson which rode low over his forehead and a neat, gentleman’s bow and Charles looked up to be assailed by the most angelic face he’d ever seen.  Normally, he’d share his name and title with the potential conquest.  However, he couldn’t get the words out.  His throat had gone bone dry and he feared he might choke on his tongue.

The young woman acknowledged his presence with only the slightest flicker of her eyes.  Then stepping backward, she lost the support of the platform and began clutching at thin air.  A panicked whimper of alarm and those lovely eyes grew wide.

Reacting on instinct, Charles shot out a hand, grabbing her arm before hauling her in and up against his solid body.

Their eyes met.  Their blue had shifted to stormy clouds of confusion and fear.  A minute passed before she released the breath she’d been holding and shoved at his chest.

“Easy, sweet thing.  I got you.”  He’d found his tongue, all right.  He wasn’t sure about the hoarseness in his reply.  It took Charles another minute to understand, she’d been able to regain her footing and wanted him to let go.

“Do you mind, sir?”  Cool and crisp, the words coming from her lips sounded like music to his ears.  Never had a songbird sounded so sweet.

“My apologies, ma’am.  Are you unharmed?”  He wondered at his stupidity.  Unharmed?  The only one not harmed was she.  He’d been dealt a mortal blow.  A heat radiated up from his toes all the way to the point on his chest where her breasts had slammed against him a few minutes ago.  His gut clinched at the look in her eyes.  That crystal clear glint told him he wasn’t high on her list of respectable persons at the moment.

“I’d appreciate you unhanding me, sir.”

He still held her wrist.  Christ, she’d most likely have a bruise.  “Forgive me.  I startled you.  It wasn’t my intention.  I hope you’re all right?  My name is…”

“I’m fine.” she snapped.  Sidestepping him, the young woman tried again to gather herself and headed for the ticket window once more.

Dazed and confused.  Charles seldom experienced the particular reaction to anything or anyone.  This was the exception.  He’d try again.  Surely, he could make amends for such a social blunder.  Perhaps a meal at the hotel would smooth her ruffled feathers.

Turning, she came face to face with his wide shoulders.  “Pardon me, sir.  I must retrieve my bags.”

Charles touched the brim of his hat with his first two fingers.  A gesture of gentlemanly politeness in this part of the world.  “Let me help you with those.”  Wheeling, he managed the steps with a masculine fluidity.  “I’d like to make up my breach in manners with the offer of a small repast at the local diner.”  He glanced in the direction of the Hotel Tyler, the only hotel in Tyler and one of only two eateries in town.

“I…”  Irritation and then confusion swept across her face before she composed herself once more.  “I don’t eat with strangers.”  She shifted to gaze at the sidewalk and the pedestrians strolling up and down the boards.

“My name is Charles Harrison.  I’m an attorney here in town.”  He had trouble with something as simple as an introduction, why did he think he’d carry on a conversation with her.

“Attorney?”  She tilted her pretty head to the side.  “Are you honest?”

The question, filled with pure innocence could have come right up out of thin air instead of her pink lips.  “I try to be.”  The answer wasn’t a lie, he told his conscious.  Arguably stretching the truth wasn’t a lie was it?  “Why, are you in need of legal assistance?”

Her lush bottom lip protruded for an instant before she clamped her lips between her teeth.  With a good shake of those lovely blonde curls, she sidestepped this time to avoid his close proximity.  “No, I just wondered, is all.”  She fanned the air with a tiny-gloved hand.  Peering up at the sun beaming down on the hard backed Texas dirt, she wrinkled her nose.

He’d died and gone to heaven.  Never before in his thirty-five years had he witnessed a more perfect combination of innocence and sexuality in a woman.  Where in God’s great kingdom had this woman come from?  The temperature must be rising.  It was hot as hell standing there in front of the Wells Fargo office.  “Here, let me get you out of this sun.  You’ll melt.”  Extending a hand, he moved closer and laid his other hand in the small of her back.  The contact vibrated along his arm and struck him in the chest with a force equal to any blow by a man’s fist.  Such a tiny thing at barely five foot, he mused.  He was a good foot and a half taller than she was.  “I’m sorry, I didn’t get your name, miss…”  Hoping she’d fill in the blank, he walked beside her carrying her carpetbags and wondering why he was sweating.  The color of her skin wouldn’t stand much of the sun.  He hoped he got the chance to take her riding one evening soon when the burning rays wouldn’t be a problem.  Mentally shaking himself, Charles wondered where that had come from.

“Miss, I’m sorry, I didn’t get your name.”  Repeating his inquiry, Charles waited.

“Uh, I’m Cassandra St. Clair.”  Her eyes darted nervously right and left.

“Cassandra St. Clair,” each word garnered the same weight on his tongue.  “Your first time to visit Tyler?”  He opened the door to the Hotel Tyler, allowing Cassandra to go first.  The lobby of the hotel was cool, the coolest place he’d been all day.

“No.”

“Well, you’ve probably eaten here before.  You may have had Jessie’s famous pecan pie.  I hope you like pie.”  Trying for a companionable smile, Charles escorted her toward the red ropes at the entrance to the small restaurant located in the rear of the hotel lobby.

A small booth along the back wall was perfect place to ease into a conversation with an attractive young lady.  Charles commended himself for having a talent when it came to the fairer sex.  He’d just never seen the fairest until now.  “I don’t mean to be nosey, but are you passing through or staying?”

“I plan on staying.”  With eyes downcast, she toyed with her silverware.  The napkin in her lap needed an adjustment as well.

Her jawline held a stubborn line he’d love to trace.  Her eyes shined with expression although she said nothing.  When her cheeks flushed with his question, he felt his toes curl in his boots.  This female ignited a fire he didn’t want to extinguish.  “Do you have a place to stay, relatives or friends?”

“I…”  A slow release of breath followed her broken reply.  “No, I don’t have a family or friends.  Is the hotel a safe place for a woman?”

Charles eased back in his chair.  She’d struck a chord.  He could definitely relate to being alone, no father, no mother, and no family.  Thankfully, he’d had friends, good friends he could count on.  Everyone needed someone they could count ‘on.  “Let me say this.  I have an opening for a secretary in my office.  There’s a small cottage out back that I rent.  It’s vacant.  You’d be welcome to stay there if you like.”

Her lovely jaw tightened.  She scooted to the edge of the seat and slid her reticule over her arm.  “I don’t need your charity, Mr. Harrison.  I can take care of myself.”

“Wait a minute.”  He didn’t understand why he wanted her to say yes, just that if she didn’t he’d have to kidnap her.  “It’s not charity if I’m offering you a job.”  He’d moved to the edge of his side as well.  Don’t you plan on working?”  Aggravated he sounded like a parent, he tried again.  “I mean, you’ll need to support yourself.  A secretary’s a respectable position.”

She stalled out within two steps and turned slowly, as if she were mulling the offer over in her head.  “What does it pay?”

With a smile, he rose, giving her an easy tug back to the table.  “Well, let’s see. The last secretary said I was too stingy with her rate.  How does a dollar a day sound?”

Those hypnotic blue eyes widened to pools of lapis blue.  “A dollar a day?  You must be doing quite well.  Are you the only attorney in town?”

He tried.  Still, he couldn’t stop the laugh that broke the silence.  “I am.  Do you suppose that has anything to do with my success?”  Grinning despite himself, he motioned for the waiter to order.

***

Well, what do you think?  I’m quite interested in knowing your opinion.  Please leave a comment below.  I plan a large release party early next year and would love to add your names into the drawing for several free ebook copies as well as a signed paperback of Casey’s Gunslinger.  In the meantime, the first book in the series is Comanche Haven.  You can start reading book one immediately with this link: http://tinyurl.com/mtsnlky

Now in paperback at Amazon. http://www.amazon.com/dp/B006I69S7G

Thanks for dropping by and best wishes for a wonderful holiday season!

Join Me for Home for the Holidays Hop with The Romance Troupe

We’ll be dishing up our favorite recipes and sharing some great prizes along with tons of free stuff.  Don’t miss out!  Mark your calendar for the 13th of November for a rolicing good time hosted by the ladies who do romance right!  See you there!

My Sexy Saturday Week 22~ Before We Make a Scene

Check out the steamy excerpt from Mary J. Dressler’s upcoming release, ‘Cowboy Boss and his Destiny’.

My Sexy Saturday Week 22~ Before We Make a Scene.

Thanks for dropping by!

a list of damn good blogs and why you should read them

Great suggestions from kizzylee:

a list of damn good blogs and why you should read them.

 

Thanks for dropping by!

Casey’s Gunslinger – Snippet – The Loflin Legacy Continues

Click on the picture to download a free sample of Comanche Haven # 1 in The Loflin Legacy series

For the love of a good woman a man will go against what’s lawful. Here’s a snippet from the second novel in The Loflin Legacy Series, Casey’s Gunslinger. The release is due in early 2014. Enjoy and know I appreciate your comments greatly.

***

Casey’s Gunslinger snippet! Excited to share this snippet from the next story in The Loflin Legacy. Casey’s an orphan. She’s come back to Tyler to confront the father, who abandoned her as a baby. Charles Harrison, the gunslinger, turned lawyer takes on more than he bargained for with the feisty filly, who vows revenge on the Loflin name.

***

Driven by an inner demon, Casey crossed the rock bank of the creek. “Mr. Harrison, I demand an apology.” Hands fisted on hips, she glared at his broad back. Noting the way the leather vest fit him perfectly, accentuating his narrow waist and trim behind, she waited.

He turned smooth and easy as if the idea of an apology had been his own. “Certainly, Miss St. Clair, just as soon as hell freezes over.” With two fingers to the brim of his Stetson, he rounded her and headed for his horse. “Get ready to ride,” he growled over his shoulder.