The wonderful and dynamic Cristal Ryder! Welcome to Nights of Passion.

A very special thank you to Mason for asking me to come and play! I'm delighted to be here at Nights of Passion. Don't you just love that name.

The year certainly has flown by and as I look out the window watching the big snowflakes dash by, it's hard to believe Christmas is next week, New Year's Eve the following and then 2011 just around the corner! I can't help reflect on the past year.  It's been full of exciting events. Selling my first and second book; watching my kids settle into college and university and one establishing himself in his own home, to being voted in as President of RWA Passionate Ink for 2011. And with all good comes some sad too with the loss of my dear pet. Pet owners out there will know the pain.

 What will next year bring? No one knows and we can only hope for a good one. Taking on the role of President is exciting. I look forward to a year of discovery and learning. The new Passionate Ink Board assumes their positions January 1 and I have every confidence 2011 will be a great year. The funny thing is the President Elect, Vice President and I are all Canadian! And we all live within an hour of each other. How's that for coincidence?

 Who's going to National next year?  I am and planning the PI Party is at the top of the list of things to do. This will be my third trip to a National conference, New York in 2003 and San Francisco in 2008.  I've been a member of RWA and Toronto Romance Writers since 2000, as well as a founding member of Gothic Romance Writers and their VP for a year. I've met a great bunch of people and built some lasting friendships.

 Christmas is fast approaching and for the first time in a few years, I'm really feeling the Holiday Spirit. It kicked off nicely with the annual viewing of Christmas Vacation. It doesn't matter how many times I watch that movie, certain spots send me into fits of laughter.   

With one of my boys living with me and expecting the other one home for the Holiday, I can't wait for the house to be full again, even though it's just the three of us, our family will be back under one roof together. I'm planning a bakefest this weekend, finishing up my shopping and settling down to wrap the gifts with a glass or two of eggnog and Christmas music.  I enjoy wrapping and even offered my services for free to a friend in L.A. – she doesn't like wrapping – if she wanted to fly me down. I guess you know what her answer was : D.

I thought I'd share a recipe seeing it is the time of year when the kitchen is full of activity. Which one…do you want Rum Balls or a delicious Sourdourgh Stuffed Bread? Hmm, I think I'll post the Rum Balls and for those of you that would like the yummy sourdough recipe, pop me an email and I'll post it to my blog. I'd love to hear from you, please visit stop by my website or blog and say hi.

I wish all of you a joyous and safe Holiday season with family and friends.

Rum Balls

1 cup butter (not margarine)

1 cup cocoa

1 box vanilla biscuits crushed (400g) – graham cracker crumbs can also be used

1 package coconut (400g) sweetened, flaked

1 ½ cup icing sugar

½ cup rum – overproof if you dare

Optional – ½ cup walnuts

Lots of sprinkles!

Melt butter in microwave. Add cocoa, crumbs, coconut, icing sugar and rum to the soft butter. Mix well. If the mixture is too wet, add icing sugar until consistency is correct. If too dry, add rum J . Roll int approximately 1" balls. Roll in coloured sprinkles. Store and serve chilled.

Note – if you use angular sugar sprinkles, they tend to stay on a little better, the round ones fall off and make a terrible mess!

Cristal Ryder's novella is No Fantasy Required and can be found HERE.

A threesome isn't only a man's fantasy….

Ever been tempted to fulfill your fantasy and experience something taboo? Brian and Kelly have…and they do just that when they escape to a mountain resort to de-stress and enjoy their favorite pastime – sex. There, they meet mysterious Tauni.

One hot man and two sexy women heat up the mountain air that leaves no fantasy required.

Content warning; Explicit sex/language, f/m/f and f/f sex scenes

Excerpt:

Our bulky winter coats kept us insulated against the cold as we trudged up the mountain path to the scenic outlook.

The deck, cleared of snow, welcomed guests with rustic chairs and chaise lounges placed around a stone fire pit which burned with a roaring fire. The bartender decked out in earmuffs and a red scarf mixed up a special concoction for the sunset celebration.

The view was outstanding. Two distant mountains in the west formed a perfect V and the sun set between them. We had only been to the sunrise celebration, where champagne and orange juice flowed, once. Usually in the morning we were otherwise occupied.

We cuddled together to keep warm and watched the sunset in hushed silence. We were not disappointed as purple and pink streaks slanted across the sky, casting a pinky-golden glow on the snow. The stunning view took our breaths away. The glory of nature awed everyone into silence as the sun set behind the mountains.

Many guests hiked up the path through the trees to the lookout as a nightly ritual and then cozied up around the deck. The twinkle lights switched roles with the sun as they became brighter while the sky darkened. A special frosty drink the resort created was offered to the guests and we all huddled around the fire to soak up the warmth it cast.

Private conversations could be heard in low murmurs, everyone wrapped up in their own little worlds. The darkness settled before long, transforming the deck into a magical world of sparkle and shooting flames. I was enchanted and felt at peace.

Are you getting hungry?"

I thought about it for a moment. "Getting there. Let's stay here for a bit. This is so nice." I finished my drink and took a deep breath. The mountain air tinged with the smoke was a wonderful aroma. Fresh, spicy and cold. I wanted another one of those great frosty drinks and stood up.

Taking Brian's glass from his mittened hands, I raised my eyebrows. "Another one?"

"Sure." He settled back on the lounge, arms behind his head and looked up at the stars. I glanced up at the sky. The dark indigo perfectly set off the stars starting to twinkle across the sky.

"Be right back." There were a few people at the bar and I wandered over to the railing. I looked over and could almost imagine myself soaring like a bird. The slope fell away below me and a thrill ran through my stomach like a roller-coaster ride down the hill. I hadn't realized it was so high or steep.

I stepped back and bumped into someone. "Oh, I'm sorry." Tauni turned to face me and a brilliant smile lit her face.

"Kelly! What a delightful surprise." Before I could say a thing she wrapped me in a big hug. The scent of her perfume floated around us and I inhaled it, memories of last night flashing through my mind. I hugged her back. Suddenly I felt shy and at a loss for words.

Filed under: Author Interviews, contemporary romance, Cristal Ryder, erotic romance, Guest Blog