Okay it shouldn't take 20 years to find a pancake recipe that can compete with going out to eat, but that is how long it took me. My husband loves pancakes and so I like to cook them for him, but he always complained that they were never as good as the ones at McDonald's or at IHOP. So recently I found a copycat on the web for the IHOP pancakes and I decided to try it.
Finally, the whole family says they had the best pancakes ever at home. I wanted to share it with you.
(IHOP) INTERNATIONAL HOUSE OF PANCAKES PANCAKE RECIPE
(copycat recipe)
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 egg
1 1/4 cups buttermilk
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder (heaping)
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 cup cooking oil
Preheat a skillet over medium heat. Use a pan with a nonstick surface or apply a little nonstick spray.
In a blender or with a mixer, combine all the ingredients until smooth.
Pour the batter by spoonfuls into the hot pan, forming 5-inch circles. When the edges appear to harden, flip the pancakes. They should be light brown. Cook on the other side for same amount of time, until light brown.
Makes 8 to 10 pancakes
Source: Vicki Oseland, rec.food.recipes/1998
Sunday, August 29, 2010
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Heart of a Cowboy is is available for pre-order now!
Heart of a Cowboy
Missy Lyons
Genre: Paranormal Gay Romance, m/m/m
Price $4.50
Heart of a Cowboy is up for preorders and officially goes on sale Monday August 30!
CLICK HERE TO BUY NOW OR READ AN EXCERPT
AVAILABLE: Monday, August 30th
[Ménage Amour ManLove: Erotic Alternative Cowboy Ménage a Trois Romance, M/M/M, Shape-shifter, Interracial]
Derek is only working for a month to pay off his debt to Jessie, but not everyone likes his openly homosexual lifestyle. He knows what it feels like to be beaten to within an inch of his life so he doesn't give a rat's ass what people think.
The attraction between him and the hunky Indian Ishwar is instantly satisfying. He finds himself begging for more every second he is near him, but when he falls into the arms of a stranger, things only begin to heat up, until an unforeseen peril puts him in danger.
Derek must prove he has the heart of a cowboy, and it will take every ounce of love and strength in his heart to make it through this ordeal alive.
A Siren Erotic Romance
BUY YOUR COPY TODAY!
Missy Lyons
www.missylyons.com
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Summer fun with sheep!
Summer usually means I slow down my writing business quite a bit as I have other more important things to attend to. Kids are home and out of town visitors like to do the touristy thing here. I feel like all my free time is gone just trying to keep the kids busy and while this week Kid1 is in Horse Camp, next week we have to find something else to do.
So I want to learn to felt with the kids. After researching a little I bought some wool and realized it is a lot more work than I thought. The farmer gave me raw wool--straight off the sheep with stickers and grass still in it.
So my next project was to learn to clean it before I can start anything else. I found an excellent article here:
http://www.instructables.com/id/Wash-wool-or-other-fibers-for-spinning/
and will be posting the results soon.
So I want to learn to felt with the kids. After researching a little I bought some wool and realized it is a lot more work than I thought. The farmer gave me raw wool--straight off the sheep with stickers and grass still in it.
So my next project was to learn to clean it before I can start anything else. I found an excellent article here:
http://www.instructables.com/id/Wash-wool-or-other-fibers-for-spinning/
and will be posting the results soon.
Thursday, July 08, 2010
Writing Contest details for Whispers Publishing
Just thought I'd pass this along. It's a great way to get your foot in the door with a really good company and make some money.
******
Beginning JULY 1, 2010, Whispers Publishing will be hosting the "African-American Heritage" writing contest. The contest is open to all writers published and unpublished.
THE DETAILS
• Each story must be a minimum of 10,000 words but no more than 30,000 words.
• Each story must be centered around a piece of African-American heritage like the Nala necklace or the Khanga or be set in a place that is rich in African-American History. Both the hero and the heroine must be African-American. The possibilities are endless, and we leave the choice up to each individual writer.
• Any genre or time period is acceptable. Be creative and don't limit yourself.
• There is no entry fee.
• Contest deadline is August 15, 2010.
• There will be three winners chosen as well as two honorable mentions.
REQUIREMENTS:
Entry must not have been published in any format, including the author's website.
Entries exceeding 30,000 words will be disqualified.
Entries should not include any subject matter which Whispers Publishing does not currently accept. Please visit our submission guidelines for further information.
Entries must not be submitted before July 1, 2010. Entries submitted before this date will be automatically disqualified.
Prospective entries should be submitted no later than midnight (12:00 a.m.) EST on JULY 31, 2010.
Entries should consist of the title of your story, the genre, a brief bio, and the story in rft format attached to the e-mail. No other formats will be accepted.
Limit two entries per person for two separate works of fiction.
Each entry should be emailed to whisperssubmissions @ gmail.com (without the spaces)with the words African Heritage Entry in the subject line.
Your name (both real name and pseudonym if used), address, telephone number, and a valid email address must be included with your query.
JUDGING:
All entries must be received by August 15, 2010.
Judging will begin on August 16, 2010 with the top three winners and two honorable mentions notified on or before October 15, 2010.
All entries will be judged by published authors with the final round judging decided by Whispers Publishing's Editor-in-Chief and Whispers Publishing's staff editors.
PRIZES:
First Place Prize winner will receive $50.00, an award certificate, and a contract for publication of the winning entry.
Second Place Winner: $25.00, an award certificate, and a contract for publication of the winning entry.
Third Place Winner: $10.00, an award certificate, and a contract for publication of the winning entry.
Honorary Mentions will receive an award certificate and consideration for publication.
******
Beginning JULY 1, 2010, Whispers Publishing will be hosting the "African-American Heritage" writing contest. The contest is open to all writers published and unpublished.
THE DETAILS
• Each story must be a minimum of 10,000 words but no more than 30,000 words.
• Each story must be centered around a piece of African-American heritage like the Nala necklace or the Khanga or be set in a place that is rich in African-American History. Both the hero and the heroine must be African-American. The possibilities are endless, and we leave the choice up to each individual writer.
• Any genre or time period is acceptable. Be creative and don't limit yourself.
• There is no entry fee.
• Contest deadline is August 15, 2010.
• There will be three winners chosen as well as two honorable mentions.
REQUIREMENTS:
Entry must not have been published in any format, including the author's website.
Entries exceeding 30,000 words will be disqualified.
Entries should not include any subject matter which Whispers Publishing does not currently accept. Please visit our submission guidelines for further information.
Entries must not be submitted before July 1, 2010. Entries submitted before this date will be automatically disqualified.
Prospective entries should be submitted no later than midnight (12:00 a.m.) EST on JULY 31, 2010.
Entries should consist of the title of your story, the genre, a brief bio, and the story in rft format attached to the e-mail. No other formats will be accepted.
Limit two entries per person for two separate works of fiction.
Each entry should be emailed to whisperssubmissions @ gmail.com (without the spaces)with the words African Heritage Entry in the subject line.
Your name (both real name and pseudonym if used), address, telephone number, and a valid email address must be included with your query.
JUDGING:
All entries must be received by August 15, 2010.
Judging will begin on August 16, 2010 with the top three winners and two honorable mentions notified on or before October 15, 2010.
All entries will be judged by published authors with the final round judging decided by Whispers Publishing's Editor-in-Chief and Whispers Publishing's staff editors.
PRIZES:
First Place Prize winner will receive $50.00, an award certificate, and a contract for publication of the winning entry.
Second Place Winner: $25.00, an award certificate, and a contract for publication of the winning entry.
Third Place Winner: $10.00, an award certificate, and a contract for publication of the winning entry.
Honorary Mentions will receive an award certificate and consideration for publication.
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Exciting new program for authors and publishers at Amazon
Amazon is now offering 70% royalty rate instead of the standard 35%, but there are some definite rules you have to abide by and one of the things you have to do is select the new option for any stories that it may apply to.
Here are the directions borrowed from the community forum:
To change the Royalty option for your book, please follow the instructions below:
1. Log-in to your DTP account at https://dtp.amazon.com/mn/signin
2. Select the "Actions" drop-down menu next to relevant book and choose "Edit book details."
3. Ensure all required fields in “Your Book” section are complete, and click "Save and Continue."
4. You'll then be redirected to ‘Rights & Pricing’ where you can select the preferred Royalty option.
5. After selecting the Royalty option, click on the check box to accept the Terms & Conditions.
6. Once done, click "Save and Publish" at the bottom of the screen, and you're all done.
Please note that it may take up to 48 hours for the changes to take effect.
You can also see this short video for instructions on how to change your existing titles to the 70 royalty option: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_zEHhBsGuno
For more details on qualifying for our 70 percent royalty option, visit: http://forums.digitaltextplatform.com/dtpforums/entry.jspa?externalID=377
Here are the directions borrowed from the community forum:
To change the Royalty option for your book, please follow the instructions below:
1. Log-in to your DTP account at https://dtp.amazon.com/mn/signin
2. Select the "Actions" drop-down menu next to relevant book and choose "Edit book details."
3. Ensure all required fields in “Your Book” section are complete, and click "Save and Continue."
4. You'll then be redirected to ‘Rights & Pricing’ where you can select the preferred Royalty option.
5. After selecting the Royalty option, click on the check box to accept the Terms & Conditions.
6. Once done, click "Save and Publish" at the bottom of the screen, and you're all done.
Please note that it may take up to 48 hours for the changes to take effect.
You can also see this short video for instructions on how to change your existing titles to the 70 royalty option: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_zEHhBsGuno
For more details on qualifying for our 70 percent royalty option, visit: http://forums.digitaltextplatform.com/dtpforums/entry.jspa?externalID=377
Wednesday, June 02, 2010
Are you anywhere near Ohio this weekend?
I plan to attend the Lori Foster reader and author get together this weekend in Manchester, Ohio. If you happen to be attending too, I can't wait to meet you, and if you are anywhere near the area feel free to stop by on Saturday for the booksigning. It's free and open to the public 2-4 PM.
For more details about the conference check out the website here:
http://www.lorifoster.com/community/readergettogether.php
Friday, June 4 — Sunday, June 6, 2010
Cincinnati Marriott North at Union Centre, West Chester Ohio
There will be lots of food--lots of fun and lots of great new friends to meet. Can't wait to see you there!
Lots of love!
Missy Lyons
www.missylyons.com
For more details about the conference check out the website here:
http://www.lorifoster.com/community/readergettogether.php
Friday, June 4 — Sunday, June 6, 2010
Cincinnati Marriott North at Union Centre, West Chester Ohio
There will be lots of food--lots of fun and lots of great new friends to meet. Can't wait to see you there!
Lots of love!
Missy Lyons
www.missylyons.com
Monday, May 24, 2010
Where did my muse go?
Writing can be incredibly easy and at times incredibly hard. No matter how you work it, whether you are a pantser or a plotter, you have to write to get paid.
It's easy when the muse loves you, and she romances you at night, visiting your dreams, and the characters are happily chatting away in your head until you can get somewhere to write it all down.
But you can't wait around for the muse everytime, because as we all know that muse is a fickle bitch.
She left me a plot bunny and then took off for the hills. I haven't seen her in a week. She's cruel like that. Whispers sweet nothings in your ear and then forgets you exist.
I can give up some time to research, some time to help me figure out how the characters might overcome a certain spot in my story, but too much means I get nowhere. So that's not what I am going to do. I just have to choose a story and stick with it. I need to write 4 pages a day for the next month to get even close to my goal. I have promised stories to write with friends and with certain publishers and I have to write, whether my muse likes me at the moment or not.
I think we all work differently and because I have been writing professionally for a few years now I have learned a little more how my mind works. Each time I am able to enter the writing zone, I can do pages at a time because my mind has become one with the characters. Their goals are my goals, and I am literally in their head at that moment. I couldn't tell you much about what is going on around me, because I have this ugly disease I like to call 'writer's brain'.
You don't have to tell me what I look like when I get it. I have this pretty dorky blank exresssion on my face and I tune out much of what is going on around me. I become non-responsive and can't hear what you are saying. If I do hear something from the depths of my brain I usually have to answer with another question, "Huh? what did you just say?"
There can be a lot of anxiety or unvoiced fears making it to this point. All stuff I would never freely admit but it's there playing as background music to my writing. "Oh, this won't be any good. It won't live up to the expectations of my editors/readers/insert anybody you want here. It's all crap anyway so why write it?" Once you can get past that, the words flow like a river of wine. It's pure genius. You OWN writing today--1500 words--one little scene down. You are on top of the world, and you have completed a small section of a larger work.
The anxiety returns and you have this unseen barrier that stops you from moving on, but if you push past it and finish the next scene that is how you overcome writer's block.
I have to deadlines. I have to write. I don't have a choice to sit around and wait for my muse, but if you see her send her home, but please don't warn her that I plan to chain her to my computer the next time I see her.
It's easy when the muse loves you, and she romances you at night, visiting your dreams, and the characters are happily chatting away in your head until you can get somewhere to write it all down.
But you can't wait around for the muse everytime, because as we all know that muse is a fickle bitch.
She left me a plot bunny and then took off for the hills. I haven't seen her in a week. She's cruel like that. Whispers sweet nothings in your ear and then forgets you exist.
I can give up some time to research, some time to help me figure out how the characters might overcome a certain spot in my story, but too much means I get nowhere. So that's not what I am going to do. I just have to choose a story and stick with it. I need to write 4 pages a day for the next month to get even close to my goal. I have promised stories to write with friends and with certain publishers and I have to write, whether my muse likes me at the moment or not.
I think we all work differently and because I have been writing professionally for a few years now I have learned a little more how my mind works. Each time I am able to enter the writing zone, I can do pages at a time because my mind has become one with the characters. Their goals are my goals, and I am literally in their head at that moment. I couldn't tell you much about what is going on around me, because I have this ugly disease I like to call 'writer's brain'.
You don't have to tell me what I look like when I get it. I have this pretty dorky blank exresssion on my face and I tune out much of what is going on around me. I become non-responsive and can't hear what you are saying. If I do hear something from the depths of my brain I usually have to answer with another question, "Huh? what did you just say?"
There can be a lot of anxiety or unvoiced fears making it to this point. All stuff I would never freely admit but it's there playing as background music to my writing. "Oh, this won't be any good. It won't live up to the expectations of my editors/readers/insert anybody you want here. It's all crap anyway so why write it?" Once you can get past that, the words flow like a river of wine. It's pure genius. You OWN writing today--1500 words--one little scene down. You are on top of the world, and you have completed a small section of a larger work.
The anxiety returns and you have this unseen barrier that stops you from moving on, but if you push past it and finish the next scene that is how you overcome writer's block.
I have to deadlines. I have to write. I don't have a choice to sit around and wait for my muse, but if you see her send her home, but please don't warn her that I plan to chain her to my computer the next time I see her.
Thursday, April 15, 2010
So you want to be Nora famous?
I am not sure I feel the same way. I like Nora Robert. I admire her talent, her success, and her ambition, but I don't think I want her life. Or her money.
I am not feeling jealous and do you know why? When I see talented friends do well, I am happy for them. They worked hard for it and to get those words down on paper every day. They write, they sell, and they live breathe and eat their books.
I can't always do that, so I am happy with my own progress. I may not write 9 to 5 pm, but that doesnn't make me any less professional or less driven. The key to true happiness in this business is keeping your nose to the grindstone and not comparing yourself to anyone else.
Forget about Nora Roberts and her millions of fans and that she writes so fast that they have her writing under two pen names and she re-releases books every month from Harlequin just to keep her contract in effect. I don't envy her life for anything. Or many of the New York Times Best Selling authors.
I don't want to give up my life for the moment. I have to work and long for the day I could just write, but that day may never come and even if it did, I still have jobs that will never go away. I will always be a mommy, and a wife. I can't imagine life being so different that would allow me to be Nora rich, so that I could have a housekeeper or a nanny or any of that.
But in the end isn't your life what you make of it? Write because you love it and live life so you can write about it. Stop being petty and jealous and just enjoy what you have. It's too short to look back and regret anything about it.
Those ultra famous authors we love to compare ourselves and hence our writing with didn't get in this business becuase they expected to get rich, and they didn't stay in it because they loved the money. It's hard work and harder work to stay on top, but they did it first and foremost because they loved telling stories. They do it so well, because they didn't think about he results night and day, just getting the words right.
I am writing this to remind myself and others, we all have our ups and downs. Some days we may be able to write 20 pages and others would be lucky to get out two words. It can all be very depressing when you need to produce so many pages a day to make contract obligations or fulfill promises. However it isn't the word count that really matters, but the quality and our own happiness level.
My average of two pages a day doesn't begin to compare to Nora Roberts or many of my friends at the moment, but it is all I can do to do that much. Seeing my kids is more imporatant at the moment. I can't help but think that when they grow up they won't care if their momma is a world famous romance writer, but they will always remember the time I could spend with them. It's all about priorities and yeah, I wouldn't mind being famous, or rich, or a future Nora Roberts, but I'm not and never will be. So am I jealous?
Not even close.
I love who and what I am right now. I am happy being a mom. I love being a storyteller, but I don't resent my choices and sacrificing to just be a mother to my children.
***Waves to Nora Roberts in case she just googled herself.
I am not feeling jealous and do you know why? When I see talented friends do well, I am happy for them. They worked hard for it and to get those words down on paper every day. They write, they sell, and they live breathe and eat their books.
I can't always do that, so I am happy with my own progress. I may not write 9 to 5 pm, but that doesnn't make me any less professional or less driven. The key to true happiness in this business is keeping your nose to the grindstone and not comparing yourself to anyone else.
Forget about Nora Roberts and her millions of fans and that she writes so fast that they have her writing under two pen names and she re-releases books every month from Harlequin just to keep her contract in effect. I don't envy her life for anything. Or many of the New York Times Best Selling authors.
I don't want to give up my life for the moment. I have to work and long for the day I could just write, but that day may never come and even if it did, I still have jobs that will never go away. I will always be a mommy, and a wife. I can't imagine life being so different that would allow me to be Nora rich, so that I could have a housekeeper or a nanny or any of that.
But in the end isn't your life what you make of it? Write because you love it and live life so you can write about it. Stop being petty and jealous and just enjoy what you have. It's too short to look back and regret anything about it.
Those ultra famous authors we love to compare ourselves and hence our writing with didn't get in this business becuase they expected to get rich, and they didn't stay in it because they loved the money. It's hard work and harder work to stay on top, but they did it first and foremost because they loved telling stories. They do it so well, because they didn't think about he results night and day, just getting the words right.
I am writing this to remind myself and others, we all have our ups and downs. Some days we may be able to write 20 pages and others would be lucky to get out two words. It can all be very depressing when you need to produce so many pages a day to make contract obligations or fulfill promises. However it isn't the word count that really matters, but the quality and our own happiness level.
My average of two pages a day doesn't begin to compare to Nora Roberts or many of my friends at the moment, but it is all I can do to do that much. Seeing my kids is more imporatant at the moment. I can't help but think that when they grow up they won't care if their momma is a world famous romance writer, but they will always remember the time I could spend with them. It's all about priorities and yeah, I wouldn't mind being famous, or rich, or a future Nora Roberts, but I'm not and never will be. So am I jealous?
Not even close.
I love who and what I am right now. I am happy being a mom. I love being a storyteller, but I don't resent my choices and sacrificing to just be a mother to my children.
***Waves to Nora Roberts in case she just googled herself.
Tuesday, March 02, 2010
Interesting article in the NY Times
Just wanted to pass along this link. It is about e-books and talks about pricing from the perspective of the big NY publishers and the bookstores.
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/01/business/media/01ebooks.html
Enjoy!
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/01/business/media/01ebooks.html
Enjoy!
Friday, February 26, 2010
An author's Inspiration
Sometimes I have trouble keeping focused. Yeah, me. There is the kids to worry about, my graphic design business, lots of icky housework and wifely duties I won't even mention and then writing seems to take a backseat to everything.
I feel lacking.
Maybe it's because I compare myself to authors with high levels of production, but I got deadlines coming up everywhere and just am not dedicating the time I need to get it done to write those pages. I figure with all the deadlines, I need to be writing 8-12 pages everyday.
This time I was thinking of trying something new and working backwards. I made the cover before I wrote the story. What do you think? Too plain? Should I add the spaceship in the sky and or the large cat she shapeshifts into or would that make it too busy?
I am using this as a source of inspiration for the story. Not sure if it will be used as a cover yet, but here is what I worked on last night.
Oh and my list of writing stuff? Here it is. Hopefully I can give you some good news soon!
Strictly Business 3/31(Siren)
Timeswept 4/15 (Whispers)
Cougar 5/1 (Editor pitch in June)
Girls and Guns 6/1(Editor pitch in June)
Guns and Roses 8/1 (Editor pitch in August)
Hope you all are happy and warm!
I feel lacking.
Maybe it's because I compare myself to authors with high levels of production, but I got deadlines coming up everywhere and just am not dedicating the time I need to get it done to write those pages. I figure with all the deadlines, I need to be writing 8-12 pages everyday.
This time I was thinking of trying something new and working backwards. I made the cover before I wrote the story. What do you think? Too plain? Should I add the spaceship in the sky and or the large cat she shapeshifts into or would that make it too busy?
I am using this as a source of inspiration for the story. Not sure if it will be used as a cover yet, but here is what I worked on last night.
Oh and my list of writing stuff? Here it is. Hopefully I can give you some good news soon!
Strictly Business 3/31(Siren)
Timeswept 4/15 (Whispers)
Cougar 5/1 (Editor pitch in June)
Girls and Guns 6/1(Editor pitch in June)
Guns and Roses 8/1 (Editor pitch in August)
Hope you all are happy and warm!
Thursday, February 04, 2010
Thesaurus for erotica writers
Credit is due to Sasha white from Romance Divas for this little goody. I thought I could bookmark it here and help others who may also need to come up with something a little more creative. It should make writing those love scenes a little easier.
Enjoy!
*******
Languorous ~ relaxed, sleepy, indolent, languid.
Carnal
Lust ~ yearn, desire, hunger for, ache for.
Sexy
Sassy
Angry ~ surly, sullen, brooding,
Admire - appreciate, respect, value.
Adore – love, worship, esteem, be passionate about, revere , idolize, exalt
Appetite - craving, demand, gluttony, greed, hunger, inclination, longing, lust, passion, ravenousness, relish, taste, thirst, urge, voracity, weakness, willingness, yearning,
Arouse - agitate, awaken, electrify, enliven, excite, entice, foment, goad, incite, inflame, instigate, kindle, provoke, rally, rouse, spark, stimulate, stir, thrill, waken, warm, whet,
a**- butt, buttocks, globes, rear end, bottom, cheeks,
Blush – flush, redden,
Brutal - atrocious, barbarous, bloodthirsty, callous, cruel, feral, ferocious, hard, harsh, heartless, inhuman, merciless, murderous, pitiless, remorseless, rough, rude, ruthless, savage, severe, terrible, unmerciful, vicious,
c*nt – p*ssy, vulva, sex, core, labia, lips, quim, snatch
Delicious - enticing, exquisite, luscious, juicy, moist, succulent,
lush, rich, savory, tempting,
Dick- c**k, shaft, hard-on, erection, hardness
Ecstasy - delectation, delirium, elation, euphoria, fervor, frenzy, joy, rapture, transport,
Ecstatic - delirious, enraptured, euphoric, fervent, frenzied, joyous, transported, wild,
Erotic - amatory, amorous, aphrodisiac, carnal, earthy, erogenous, fervid, filthy, hot, impassioned, lascivious, lecherous, lewd, raw, romantic, rousing, salacious, seductive, sensual, sexual, spicy, steamy, stimulating, suggestive, titillating, venereal, voluptuous,
Gasp - gulp, heave, wheeze, choke, inhale, snort
Heated - ardent, avid, excited, fervent, fervid, fierce, fiery, frenzied, furious, impassioned, intense, passionate, raging, scalding, scorched, stormy, tempestuous, vehement, violent,
Hunger - appetite, ache, craving, gluttony, greed, longing, lust, mania, ravenousness, voracity, want, yearning
Hungry - avid, carnivorous, covetous, craving, eager, greedy, hungered, rapacious, ravenous, starved, unsatisfied, voracious,
Liquid - damp, juicy, moist, luscious, melted, moist, succulent, viscous, wet , broth, elixir, extract, flux, juice, liquor, nectar, sap, sauce, secretion, solution, vitae,
Lithe - agile, lean, pliant, slight, spare, supple
Moving - (exciting,) affecting, affective, arousing, awakening, breathless, dynamic, eloquent, emotional, emotive, expressive, facund, far-out, felt in gut, grabbed by, gripping, heartbreaking, heartrending, impelling, impressive, inspirational, meaningful, mind-bending, mind-blowing, motivating, persuasive, poignant, propelling, provoking, quickening, rallying, rousing, significant, stimulating, simulative, stirring, stunning, touching,
Need - compulsion, demand, devoir, extremity, longing, must, urge, urgency / desire, appetite, avid, burn, craving, eagerness, fascination, greed, hunger, insatiable, longing, lust, taste, thirst, voracious, want, yearning,
Pleasurable - charming, gratifying, luscious, satisfying, savory,
Prowl – Stalk, lurk, creep, slink,
Pleasure - bliss, gluttony, gratification, relish, satisfaction, thrill,
Rapacious - avaricious, ferocious, furious, greedy, predatory, ravening, ravenous, savage, voracious
Rapture - bliss, ecstasy, elation, exaltation, glory, gratification, passion, pleasure,
Rigid - adamant, austere, definite, determined, exact, firm, hard, rigorous, solid, stern, uncompromising, unrelenting, unyielding
Thrust - (forward) advance, drive, impetus, impulsion, lunge, momentum, onslaught, poke, pressure, prod, propulsion, punch, push, shove,
Thrust - (push hard) assail, assault, attack, bear down, buck, drive, force, heave, impale, impel, jab, lunge, plunge, press, prod, ram, shove, stab, transfix, urge,
Thunderstruck - amazed, astonished, aghast, astounded, awestruck, confounded, dazed, dazed, dismayed, overwhelmed, shocked, staggered, startled, stunned,
Torment - agony, anguish, misery, pain, punishment, suffering,
Writhe - agonize, bend, jerk, recoil, lurch, plunge, slither, squirm, struggle, suffer, thrash, thresh, twist, wiggle, wriggle,
Enjoy!
*******
Languorous ~ relaxed, sleepy, indolent, languid.
Carnal
Lust ~ yearn, desire, hunger for, ache for.
Sexy
Sassy
Angry ~ surly, sullen, brooding,
Admire - appreciate, respect, value.
Adore – love, worship, esteem, be passionate about, revere , idolize, exalt
Appetite - craving, demand, gluttony, greed, hunger, inclination, longing, lust, passion, ravenousness, relish, taste, thirst, urge, voracity, weakness, willingness, yearning,
Arouse - agitate, awaken, electrify, enliven, excite, entice, foment, goad, incite, inflame, instigate, kindle, provoke, rally, rouse, spark, stimulate, stir, thrill, waken, warm, whet,
a**- butt, buttocks, globes, rear end, bottom, cheeks,
Blush – flush, redden,
Brutal - atrocious, barbarous, bloodthirsty, callous, cruel, feral, ferocious, hard, harsh, heartless, inhuman, merciless, murderous, pitiless, remorseless, rough, rude, ruthless, savage, severe, terrible, unmerciful, vicious,
c*nt – p*ssy, vulva, sex, core, labia, lips, quim, snatch
Delicious - enticing, exquisite, luscious, juicy, moist, succulent,
lush, rich, savory, tempting,
Dick- c**k, shaft, hard-on, erection, hardness
Ecstasy - delectation, delirium, elation, euphoria, fervor, frenzy, joy, rapture, transport,
Ecstatic - delirious, enraptured, euphoric, fervent, frenzied, joyous, transported, wild,
Erotic - amatory, amorous, aphrodisiac, carnal, earthy, erogenous, fervid, filthy, hot, impassioned, lascivious, lecherous, lewd, raw, romantic, rousing, salacious, seductive, sensual, sexual, spicy, steamy, stimulating, suggestive, titillating, venereal, voluptuous,
Gasp - gulp, heave, wheeze, choke, inhale, snort
Heated - ardent, avid, excited, fervent, fervid, fierce, fiery, frenzied, furious, impassioned, intense, passionate, raging, scalding, scorched, stormy, tempestuous, vehement, violent,
Hunger - appetite, ache, craving, gluttony, greed, longing, lust, mania, ravenousness, voracity, want, yearning
Hungry - avid, carnivorous, covetous, craving, eager, greedy, hungered, rapacious, ravenous, starved, unsatisfied, voracious,
Liquid - damp, juicy, moist, luscious, melted, moist, succulent, viscous, wet , broth, elixir, extract, flux, juice, liquor, nectar, sap, sauce, secretion, solution, vitae,
Lithe - agile, lean, pliant, slight, spare, supple
Moving - (exciting,) affecting, affective, arousing, awakening, breathless, dynamic, eloquent, emotional, emotive, expressive, facund, far-out, felt in gut, grabbed by, gripping, heartbreaking, heartrending, impelling, impressive, inspirational, meaningful, mind-bending, mind-blowing, motivating, persuasive, poignant, propelling, provoking, quickening, rallying, rousing, significant, stimulating, simulative, stirring, stunning, touching,
Need - compulsion, demand, devoir, extremity, longing, must, urge, urgency / desire, appetite, avid, burn, craving, eagerness, fascination, greed, hunger, insatiable, longing, lust, taste, thirst, voracious, want, yearning,
Pleasurable - charming, gratifying, luscious, satisfying, savory,
Prowl – Stalk, lurk, creep, slink,
Pleasure - bliss, gluttony, gratification, relish, satisfaction, thrill,
Rapacious - avaricious, ferocious, furious, greedy, predatory, ravening, ravenous, savage, voracious
Rapture - bliss, ecstasy, elation, exaltation, glory, gratification, passion, pleasure,
Rigid - adamant, austere, definite, determined, exact, firm, hard, rigorous, solid, stern, uncompromising, unrelenting, unyielding
Thrust - (forward) advance, drive, impetus, impulsion, lunge, momentum, onslaught, poke, pressure, prod, propulsion, punch, push, shove,
Thrust - (push hard) assail, assault, attack, bear down, buck, drive, force, heave, impale, impel, jab, lunge, plunge, press, prod, ram, shove, stab, transfix, urge,
Thunderstruck - amazed, astonished, aghast, astounded, awestruck, confounded, dazed, dazed, dismayed, overwhelmed, shocked, staggered, startled, stunned,
Torment - agony, anguish, misery, pain, punishment, suffering,
Writhe - agonize, bend, jerk, recoil, lurch, plunge, slither, squirm, struggle, suffer, thrash, thresh, twist, wiggle, wriggle,
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
It's dying--Do we help put it out of it's misery or kill it?
I knew this day was coming. I just didn't want to admit it until it was spelled out for me. My car mechanic called me up and gave my car a death sentence. I bought it used and it's been a trusted and reliable source of transportation for my family, now well it's just a sad...sad day in my house.
Parents Choice for the top 15 Family Friendly Cars
Parents Choice for the top 15 Family Friendly Cars
Having fun with Semicolons
Grammar never seems to be much fun, but this guy makes it a lot more fun to read about or learn. Enjoy!
Too funny not to share.
Too funny not to share.
Thursday, January 21, 2010
13 Of My All Time Favorite Movies for Women
It's that time of week again, where writers everywhere spend their Thursdays linking up thirteen random things that might be funny, silly, sad or just plain fun to read. All of it helps you to get to know the authors just a little bit better.
If you want to make a list on your blog, then leave a comment and I will link to you.
For my blog today I thought it would be fun to list my favorite chick flicks--the movies that pulled at my heartsrings so much that I could watch them over and over again.
1 The Princess Bride
2 Nim's Island
3 When Harry Met Sally
4 What a Woman Wants
5 Hitch
6 You've Got Mail
7 Ever After
8 Splash
9 Pursuit of Happiness
10 Twilight
11 Harry Potter
12 Pretty Woman
13 Star Wars --there is a love story in there somewhere isn't there? I'd hate to have to strike this one from my list.
Remember to post a comment so I can link to your blog! :) Here are the authors participating today. (Just click on their name to visit their site.)
Alice Audrey
Ella Drake
Jennifer Leeland
Paige Tyler
Debbie Cairo
Inez Kelly and Elise Logan
If you want to make a list on your blog, then leave a comment and I will link to you.
For my blog today I thought it would be fun to list my favorite chick flicks--the movies that pulled at my heartsrings so much that I could watch them over and over again.
1 The Princess Bride
2 Nim's Island
3 When Harry Met Sally
4 What a Woman Wants
5 Hitch
6 You've Got Mail
7 Ever After
8 Splash
9 Pursuit of Happiness
10 Twilight
11 Harry Potter
12 Pretty Woman
13 Star Wars --there is a love story in there somewhere isn't there? I'd hate to have to strike this one from my list.
Remember to post a comment so I can link to your blog! :) Here are the authors participating today. (Just click on their name to visit their site.)
Alice Audrey
Ella Drake
Jennifer Leeland
Paige Tyler
Debbie Cairo
Inez Kelly and Elise Logan
Saturday, January 16, 2010
Shameless begging for votes
I was just notified that COWBOYS DON'T DANCE is in a contest and
I need your help. Whipped Cream erotic romance reviews wants to know which book or story sounds like the best read based on their reviews. They gave COWBOYS DON'T DANCE an outstanding review (which you can read when you visit their site) and I appreciate it, but winning this contest would be even better.
The poll ends tonight and I would appreciate you taking the time to visit this site and vote:
http://www.longandshortreviews.com/WC/recentrev.htm
Thank you for your love and support! You can find our title COWBOYS DON'T DANCE about halfway down the list of books.
Missy Lyons
www.missylyons.com
I need your help. Whipped Cream erotic romance reviews wants to know which book or story sounds like the best read based on their reviews. They gave COWBOYS DON'T DANCE an outstanding review (which you can read when you visit their site) and I appreciate it, but winning this contest would be even better.
The poll ends tonight and I would appreciate you taking the time to visit this site and vote:
http://www.longandshortreviews.com/WC/recentrev.htm
Thank you for your love and support! You can find our title COWBOYS DON'T DANCE about halfway down the list of books.
Missy Lyons
www.missylyons.com
Tuesday, January 05, 2010
Michelle Pillow's newest releases
TITLE: NEW IN PRINT: King of the Unblessed, Faery Queen, Stone Queen
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~`
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~`
Fantasy Romance by Michelle M. Pillow
The Realm Immortal series is in it's 2nd printing. Check out the awesome new cover art for them (Thanks Mandy!)
Pick up your copy either online or in bookstores!
REALM IMMORTAL series
Book 1: King of the Unblessed
The choice is simple: go with him or die.
Realm Immortal, Book One
Merrick, dark elfin King of Valdis, had once been heir to all that was good—happiness and pleasure his domain. Now, trapped as the ruler of mischief, king of necessary evil, he stands on a precipice of choice. On one side, his estranged brother, now ruler of what should have been Merrick’s and, on the other, King Lucien of the Damned. Both would sway him. Damnation is winning.
Lady Juliana of Bellemare is from a human family, protected by the Blessed, coveted by the Damned. Betrothed to an old friend of her father’s, Juliana is resigned to living out her days close to her childhood home, longing for an adventure, never dreaming she’d get what she wished for. When her fiancé is murdered and the children of Bellemare are stolen, Juliana is sent on a quest in a strange realm where appearances are deceiving.
Merrick brings more adventure and passion than any woman could want. Can she withstand the temptations of the Unblessed king? The spell she weaves over him is more than he can resist and, desperate to be the one to rule her, Merrick offers her a choice; either come with him until he tires of her…or die.
Buy Print / Ebook
Book 2: Faery Queen
It is ill-advised to incur the wrath of a faery, but it is most foolish to do so of a faery queen…
Realm Immortal, Book Two
Queen Tania of the Faeries is tired of waiting for Hugh, the Earl of Bellemare, to come back to her. A year has passed since his commitments pulled him from her side and she’s begun to suspect he never intended to return. Disheartened, the queen’s mood darkens until she finds she has no choice but to teach the earl a lesson he will never forget—that no human should dare lie to a faery queen.
Hugh’s hatred of the magical world is well known and he wishes to live out the rest of his life in the mortal realm, doing his noble duty. Too bad his heart hasn’t caught up to his head. Thoughts of a tenaciously seductive queen haunt him, even as he knows the woman only wanted him as a plaything for her bed. But it would seem he can’t run far enough, for the teasing nymph won’t back down and Hugh finds himself at the mercy of a vengeful faery.
Buy Print / Ebook
Book 3: Stone Queen
To gain the only thing he truly wants, he’ll have to risk everything.
Realm Immortal, Book Three
Juliana, newly appointed Queen of the Unblessed, has realized there is a bit more to her position than she first thought. Sure, it has its perks: a sinfully sexy husband who is also a king, growing powers and a magical life that’s never boring, but the drawbacks are considerable. To save her kingdom from war, Juliana accepts assistance from a witch. But when her reality turns upside down, she realizes she’s been betrayed.
For a brief time, Merrick knew happiness, as much happiness as the king of necessary evil could ever feel. Juliana has become the light in his darkness. Though he can never tell his wife he loves her—or risk upsetting the balance of both the mortal and immortal realms—the words are understood between them. Or so he thought. When she falls prey to a wayward spell, becoming encased in stone, he knows he’ll have to risk everything to gain the only thing he truly wants.
Buy Print / Ebook
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~`
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~`
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~`
Fantasy Romance by Michelle M. Pillow
The Realm Immortal series is in it's 2nd printing. Check out the awesome new cover art for them (Thanks Mandy!)
Pick up your copy either online or in bookstores!
REALM IMMORTAL series
Book 1: King of the Unblessed
The choice is simple: go with him or die.
Realm Immortal, Book One
Merrick, dark elfin King of Valdis, had once been heir to all that was good—happiness and pleasure his domain. Now, trapped as the ruler of mischief, king of necessary evil, he stands on a precipice of choice. On one side, his estranged brother, now ruler of what should have been Merrick’s and, on the other, King Lucien of the Damned. Both would sway him. Damnation is winning.
Lady Juliana of Bellemare is from a human family, protected by the Blessed, coveted by the Damned. Betrothed to an old friend of her father’s, Juliana is resigned to living out her days close to her childhood home, longing for an adventure, never dreaming she’d get what she wished for. When her fiancé is murdered and the children of Bellemare are stolen, Juliana is sent on a quest in a strange realm where appearances are deceiving.
Merrick brings more adventure and passion than any woman could want. Can she withstand the temptations of the Unblessed king? The spell she weaves over him is more than he can resist and, desperate to be the one to rule her, Merrick offers her a choice; either come with him until he tires of her…or die.
Buy Print / Ebook
Book 2: Faery Queen
It is ill-advised to incur the wrath of a faery, but it is most foolish to do so of a faery queen…
Realm Immortal, Book Two
Queen Tania of the Faeries is tired of waiting for Hugh, the Earl of Bellemare, to come back to her. A year has passed since his commitments pulled him from her side and she’s begun to suspect he never intended to return. Disheartened, the queen’s mood darkens until she finds she has no choice but to teach the earl a lesson he will never forget—that no human should dare lie to a faery queen.
Hugh’s hatred of the magical world is well known and he wishes to live out the rest of his life in the mortal realm, doing his noble duty. Too bad his heart hasn’t caught up to his head. Thoughts of a tenaciously seductive queen haunt him, even as he knows the woman only wanted him as a plaything for her bed. But it would seem he can’t run far enough, for the teasing nymph won’t back down and Hugh finds himself at the mercy of a vengeful faery.
Buy Print / Ebook
Book 3: Stone Queen
To gain the only thing he truly wants, he’ll have to risk everything.
Realm Immortal, Book Three
Juliana, newly appointed Queen of the Unblessed, has realized there is a bit more to her position than she first thought. Sure, it has its perks: a sinfully sexy husband who is also a king, growing powers and a magical life that’s never boring, but the drawbacks are considerable. To save her kingdom from war, Juliana accepts assistance from a witch. But when her reality turns upside down, she realizes she’s been betrayed.
For a brief time, Merrick knew happiness, as much happiness as the king of necessary evil could ever feel. Juliana has become the light in his darkness. Though he can never tell his wife he loves her—or risk upsetting the balance of both the mortal and immortal realms—the words are understood between them. Or so he thought. When she falls prey to a wayward spell, becoming encased in stone, he knows he’ll have to risk everything to gain the only thing he truly wants.
Buy Print / Ebook
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~`
Saturday, January 02, 2010
The Almost Kiss
I had the awesome opportunity to take part in the almost kiss contest in Frankie Writes. Go here to see all the deets: http://frankiediane.blogspot.com/
This is from my current work in progress, Elvis Makes Three and it's a forced kiss between the two men.
****
“One of you ruined my life and I want to know which one did it.”
“Did what?”
“What’s going on?”
“Oh, don’t give me a load of crap. You know what I mean. People are coming up to me in public places—my students think—oh God—do you have any idea what it’s like to have strange men look at you like you’re a porn star?”
“Lynne, calm down.”
“No, I'm not done yet. One of you two lost me my job.”
“How did that happen?”
“Our That stupid video got out on the web and everyone I know and don’t know has seen it. The parents of my students asked for my resignation.”
“Lynne, I never would have hurt you on purpose.”
“I would never have taped it if I knew whatthat would happen.”
“I think I know how this happened though. About a week ago my computer got a virus. I think someone got in behind the firewall and stole my personal information.”
“You didn’t do this on purpose?” She shook her head in disgust. Her head said to make them suffer, but her heart told her that he was telling the truth. “God, you have no idea what you put me through. No idea what I had to suffer.”
“I didn’t even know it happened.” He looked remorseful but was he really? What would he do in order to make it up to her. She should put him through hell right now. God knows he deserved it.
“Do you want me to kick his ass for you?” Kurt cracked his knuckles moving toward his target. “I am going to enjoy this.”
“No wait. Don’t hurt him. I don’t want you to kick his ass.” Suddenly she was struck with a wicked notion. What if she asked something they would never consider. Would they do it to keep her? Would they do it to make her happy? “I want you to kiss it.”
“What?”
“Lynne, I don’t understand.”
“You can’t be serious!”
“I am deadly serious. Kiss and make up. Or both of you can leave right now.”
“I am tired of your pettiness and your arguing. Now it’s time you do something for me and my pleasure for once and I want to see you kiss.”
“But Lynne, I’m not into that. You know I’m not gay.”
“It’s either kiss or go home. Make up your mind.”
“Well, count me out. I’m going home.”Kurt was pissed now. There would be no reasoning with him now, unless it came down to the worst possible outcome. He stomped towards the door.
“If you walk out of that door, then I never want to see you again.” She could feel her heart flutter in response to the ultimatum. It was a bold move, but the boys had to get along or this thing between them would never work. “Ever.”
Kurt paused with his hand on the doorknob.
This is from my current work in progress, Elvis Makes Three and it's a forced kiss between the two men.
****
“One of you ruined my life and I want to know which one did it.”
“Did what?”
“What’s going on?”
“Oh, don’t give me a load of crap. You know what I mean. People are coming up to me in public places—my students think—oh God—do you have any idea what it’s like to have strange men look at you like you’re a porn star?”
“Lynne, calm down.”
“No, I'm not done yet. One of you two lost me my job.”
“How did that happen?”
“Our That stupid video got out on the web and everyone I know and don’t know has seen it. The parents of my students asked for my resignation.”
“Lynne, I never would have hurt you on purpose.”
“I would never have taped it if I knew whatthat would happen.”
“I think I know how this happened though. About a week ago my computer got a virus. I think someone got in behind the firewall and stole my personal information.”
“You didn’t do this on purpose?” She shook her head in disgust. Her head said to make them suffer, but her heart told her that he was telling the truth. “God, you have no idea what you put me through. No idea what I had to suffer.”
“I didn’t even know it happened.” He looked remorseful but was he really? What would he do in order to make it up to her. She should put him through hell right now. God knows he deserved it.
“Do you want me to kick his ass for you?” Kurt cracked his knuckles moving toward his target. “I am going to enjoy this.”
“No wait. Don’t hurt him. I don’t want you to kick his ass.” Suddenly she was struck with a wicked notion. What if she asked something they would never consider. Would they do it to keep her? Would they do it to make her happy? “I want you to kiss it.”
“What?”
“Lynne, I don’t understand.”
“You can’t be serious!”
“I am deadly serious. Kiss and make up. Or both of you can leave right now.”
“I am tired of your pettiness and your arguing. Now it’s time you do something for me and my pleasure for once and I want to see you kiss.”
“But Lynne, I’m not into that. You know I’m not gay.”
“It’s either kiss or go home. Make up your mind.”
“Well, count me out. I’m going home.”Kurt was pissed now. There would be no reasoning with him now, unless it came down to the worst possible outcome. He stomped towards the door.
“If you walk out of that door, then I never want to see you again.” She could feel her heart flutter in response to the ultimatum. It was a bold move, but the boys had to get along or this thing between them would never work. “Ever.”
Kurt paused with his hand on the doorknob.
Monday, December 21, 2009
Seducing the Sherriff by Marie Nicole Ryan
So--I have a good friend who just had a release this last week. Yes, she's a fellow romance author and unlike some of my other friends. She lives close enough that I get to see her once a month at our local writers meeting. I am so happy for her and want to help her get the word out about her new book.
“Seducing the Sheriff” by Marie-Nicole Ryan
Samhain Publishing
Genre: Historical Romance, Red Hots!
ISBN: 978-1-60504-846-8
Length: Category
Price: 4.50
Publication Date: December 15, 2009
Half dressed and going for naked…
Starlight Tyler needs to lose her virginity, as in yesterday. With her mother, a Pinkerton, and a wealthy man she doesn’t love on her tail, there’s only one place to cut their cruel intentions off at the pass—get herself back into the arms of long-lost love Cordero Tate. Pronto.
She never expected to be tripped up by someone else’s past.
Sheriff Cordero Tate is a haunted man on a mission. Come hell or high water, he’ll round up every member of the gang responsible for the deaths of his wife and unborn child…and make damned sure he never puts his heart on the line again. As in never impregnating another woman. One look at Star, though, and all the old feelings come back in a rush. Worse, she’s just as determined to brand him as hers as he is to keep her chaste.
Their exploration of ways around that impasse leads to three nights of unbearable sensual pleasure. Until her past catches up to her…
Warning: This story contains a lot of hard ridin’, some ass kickin’, and a whole lot of lovin’ goin’ on. No doors left unopened.
Read an excerpt here or buy now.
I got my copy already and can't wait to read it! Just have to get a few minutes of babt free time. lol
“Seducing the Sheriff” by Marie-Nicole Ryan
Samhain Publishing
Genre: Historical Romance, Red Hots!
ISBN: 978-1-60504-846-8
Length: Category
Price: 4.50
Publication Date: December 15, 2009
Half dressed and going for naked…
Starlight Tyler needs to lose her virginity, as in yesterday. With her mother, a Pinkerton, and a wealthy man she doesn’t love on her tail, there’s only one place to cut their cruel intentions off at the pass—get herself back into the arms of long-lost love Cordero Tate. Pronto.
She never expected to be tripped up by someone else’s past.
Sheriff Cordero Tate is a haunted man on a mission. Come hell or high water, he’ll round up every member of the gang responsible for the deaths of his wife and unborn child…and make damned sure he never puts his heart on the line again. As in never impregnating another woman. One look at Star, though, and all the old feelings come back in a rush. Worse, she’s just as determined to brand him as hers as he is to keep her chaste.
Their exploration of ways around that impasse leads to three nights of unbearable sensual pleasure. Until her past catches up to her…
Warning: This story contains a lot of hard ridin’, some ass kickin’, and a whole lot of lovin’ goin’ on. No doors left unopened.
Read an excerpt here or buy now.
I got my copy already and can't wait to read it! Just have to get a few minutes of babt free time. lol
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Random House makes a grab for ebook rights
This is a good round up of all the links with a few comments. Random House made an announcement to the authors and agents that their backlist belongs to them in ebook form and authors can not publish their own backlist.
This is a good reason to pay attention to your contract. This is a huge blow to authors and agents because they can't pursue profits from resale and it may just sit in the publishers vault.
http://www.nadialee.net/blog/2009/12/random-house-to-authors-all-your-eright-are-belong-to-us/
This is a good reason to pay attention to your contract. This is a huge blow to authors and agents because they can't pursue profits from resale and it may just sit in the publishers vault.
http://www.nadialee.net/blog/2009/12/random-house-to-authors-all-your-eright-are-belong-to-us/
Saturday, December 12, 2009
Kissing under the Mistletoe
Kissing has been going on under the mistletoe for ages, but have you got in on the action? In theory it sounds like fun. Staking out the area under a plant and waiting for your future victims--ahem...crushes to lock lips with.
It's a nice placed to set up a romance, and that thought is how a story can be born. Inspiration can strike anywhere, and that is when I will begin to research the inspiration so it can work for my future stories. Where did the strange cultural custom come from?
The answer lies in ancient Scandinavia. There it was recognized as the plant of peace. If enemies met in a forest beneath it, they would make a truce to not fight until the next day. The tradition of kissing under the mistletoe began with the Norse myth of Baldur, who died and was then resurrected. Frigga his mother at the birth of her son, made all the plants in the forest promise that they would not harm him. Loki who was also the God of mischief noticed she forgot the mistletoe plant. He tricked another God into killing Baldur by fashioning a spear tipped with mistletoe. Since Baldur was a God of vegetation, his death brought Winter to the world. Eventually he was brought back to life and his mother decreed the mistletoe plant sacred, ordering it to bring love rather than death into the world. So even now when two people pass under the misteltoe they will kiss to celebrate Baldur's resurrection.
Have you ever kissed under the mistletoe? Not me, but I've always wanted to.
It's a nice placed to set up a romance, and that thought is how a story can be born. Inspiration can strike anywhere, and that is when I will begin to research the inspiration so it can work for my future stories. Where did the strange cultural custom come from?
The answer lies in ancient Scandinavia. There it was recognized as the plant of peace. If enemies met in a forest beneath it, they would make a truce to not fight until the next day. The tradition of kissing under the mistletoe began with the Norse myth of Baldur, who died and was then resurrected. Frigga his mother at the birth of her son, made all the plants in the forest promise that they would not harm him. Loki who was also the God of mischief noticed she forgot the mistletoe plant. He tricked another God into killing Baldur by fashioning a spear tipped with mistletoe. Since Baldur was a God of vegetation, his death brought Winter to the world. Eventually he was brought back to life and his mother decreed the mistletoe plant sacred, ordering it to bring love rather than death into the world. So even now when two people pass under the misteltoe they will kiss to celebrate Baldur's resurrection.
Have you ever kissed under the mistletoe? Not me, but I've always wanted to.
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