Man Candy Monday!

Laundry day, so I brought out the "wash-board".....LOL
Enjoy!

Friday Fun!! The talented LYNDA BAILEY!!

The Rougher Side of Romance

Huge thanks to my gal-pal, Jenn, for hosting me today and for previewing my upcoming release, On the Corner of Heartache and Hopeful—KIRA.

So what do you think the rougher side of romance means? If you answered BDSM, you’d be right.

BDSM. That’s bondage (and discipline), dominance (and submission), sadism and masochism. (Got your attention, didn’t I? <G>)

I believe it’s safe to assume that the recent rise in the popularity of this sub-genre of romance can be directly attributed to the 50 Shades of Gray phenomenon. (I, myself, have never read the books.) Please understand, though, that BDSM stories have been around for-e-ver. Much longer than the Shades series. In fact, years ago I read a submission for a national contest that had serious BDSM elements. At the time I was shocked, and more than a bit intrigued. <wink> If you’re a fan of Shades, I would strongly encourage you to check out a few BDSM authors that I have read. Delilah Devlin and Qwillia Rain.

As a writer of erotic romance, it seemed a natural transition for me to broaden my romantic horizons to include at least some aspects of BDSM into my stories. I started with MIC, the first novella in my Heartache and Hopeful series. (Available on Amazon. com. http://amzn.com/B009RE0JKG) Nothing too hot and heavy happened—other than the sex, of course! But I did have a scene where Scott fulfills Mic’s fantasy of being tied up while making love. In KIRA, I delved a bit deeper and gave my heroine a spanking fetish. I plan to go deeper still (no pun intended—really!) in my next novella, GRACE.

If I’ve learned just one thing in my research of BDSM, it’s that you cannot make any assumptions about this lifestyle or the people who live it. These folks are just as committed to their partners, love just as deeply, hurt just as badly as anyone else. Because I’m a non-participant in the lifestyle, I wanted to make damn sure my characters’ goals and motivations were believable. The last thing I wanted was insult those who live the BDSM life. Hopefully I came at least kinda close to accomplishing that objective.   

So what do you think about BDSM? Does the idea titillate or repulse you? Share your thoughts for the chance to win a $10 Amazon gift card.

Also stop by my blog to read the first chapter of On the Corner of Heartache and Hopeful—KIRA. www.lyndabailey.net   

Thanks again to my BFF, Jenn, for having me here today!

BLURB:

Kira Grant, daughter of a multi-mega millionaire, leaves her over-protective father—and her sizeable heritance—for the simple life in Tatum, NE. She’s also leaving behind her sordid urges. Or so she thought…

Hunter Rice has only one goal: clear his name of doping charges and climb back into the ring where he belongs. And if he has to “convince” some wealthy mogul’s daughter she should move back home in order to reach that goal, so be it.

Lives, like streets, can run parallel or they can cross. Sometimes those crossroads lead to heartache or they lead to hope.

EXCERPT: (Please note! This is NOT a PG13 selection. Mature audience only.)

Hunter leaned forward until he was an inch from her face. “And just what is going to happen between us?”

In answer, Kira unbelted her robe. It dropped to the floor. So did his jaw.

She did indeed have on fishnet stockings that were attached to a black garter belt. She also wore a black corset, ribbed with a shiny, purple fabric. Her breasts strained against the purple lace edging the top of the corset with each of her breathes. By the wisp of material barely concealing her mound, he doubted she wore a thong. Had to be a g-string. Though Hunter had seen Kira buck naked, this getup was damn near sexier than her being in her—altogether.

He said nothing for a long time, not that he could talk. His tongue was glued to the roof of his mouth and his mind was equally stuck. He just feasted on her appearance. Over and over and over again. Thoughts, explicitly carnal thoughts and lots of them, filled his head. And his dick.

Finally, his gaze meandered back to hers. Uncertainty etched her features. He almost regretted ogling her. Almost.

Hunter swallowed twice then found his voice. “Okay. You’ve got my attention.” In more ways than one as his erection pressed against his zipper. “Mind telling me what the hell is going on?”

“This is going on.” She walked to the bed and flung the blanket away from a corner.

Stepping closer to see what she’d revealed, Hunter’s gut reeled and his stiff cock hardened even further. There was a ping pong paddle and a wooden spoon, both covered with what looked to be felt cloth. They reminded him of the BDSM toys found at the back of sleazy men’s magazines. He rifled his gaze to hers. “You are not spanking me with those things.”

She picked up the spoon and whacked it against her palm. The sound reverberated at the base of his spine. “By staying, you agreed to do whatever I want, remember?” Whack. “But relax.” Whack. Whack. “These aren’t for you. They’re for me.”

Man Candy Monday!

It's Hawaii 5-0 night!!  :)
Enjoy!

Man Candy Monday!!

It's Hawaii 5-0 tonight. So here's a treat for all you Alex O.  fans!! 
Enjoy

Man Candy Monday!

Happy Monday! Come on in and take your clothes ...er, shirt off ;)

Enjoy!

Friday Fun: Debut author JENNIE MARTS!!

Please help me welcome my friend, debut author, JENNIE MARTS! Jennie is here today with her hilarious novel -- the first in a series -- ANOTHER SATURDAY NIGHT AND I AIN'T GOT NO BODY :) 

Jennie is offering 1 Free eBook to a lucky commentator so be sure to leave your email addy. This is a book you do not want to miss. Unless you hate laughing or enjoying a good read..... then you won't want it. LOL

Welcome, Jennie, and congrats on all your success so far with this novel!

 *********

Hi, my name is Jennie Marts and I am excited to share a little bit with you about my recently released romantic comedy, Another Saturday Night and I Ain’t Got No Body. My story features an ordinary school teacher named Sunny Vale whose well-meaning friends decide to help her find her Mr. Right.

BLURB:

Sunny considers herself a dog-loving, romance-reading, homebody. But her life goes from dull to deadly when her book club fires her from her own love life and sets her up on six blind dates- one of whom might be with a murderer. More trouble arrives in the dead of night, in the form of Jake Landon, a mysterious stranger, who breaks into her neighbor’s house and possibly her heart. But Jake is packing more than a loaded gun in his well-fitting Levi’s. He brings an arsenal of secrets and plenty of heat to Sunny’s ho-hum summer.

Jake Landon finds himself caught up in the capers of the sexy blonde in the house next door. But he has his own agenda which doesn’t involve playing hero to a curvy second-grade teacher and babysitting her panty-puking puppy. He's got other problems like fiery explosions, a missing person...and a parade of jerks Sunny insists on dating.

Could Sunny’s Mr. Right be right under her nose? Even though Jake is gorgeous, likes her dog, and has abs she can crack an egg on, can she really go out with him if he’s just murdered her next door neighbor?

**** 

Today, I am sharing with you a little inside scoop not available in the book. Let's take a peek into the small town of Pleasant Valley, CO, where Janice Tuttlebaum, local reporter has just cornered Jake in the coffee shop. The whole town is talking about Walter's disappearance and this handsome stranger who has moved into Walter's home. Nobody's nosier than Janice, except maybe Edna, Sunny's 80-year-old neighbor, friend and fellow book club member. Edna has been suspicious of Jake from the start, ever since she saw him sneaking around the night of the -- but I'm giving too much away.

I think Janice is trying to interview Jake now. She certainly has her chair pulled close enough to his to smell his aftershave or sneak a bite of his danish. Let's listen in.....

“This is Janice Tuttlebaum from the Pleasant Valley Times,” she says into a small handheld recorder. She also has a steno pad on the table and is scribbling notes whiles she talks. “I am here today interviewing Jake Landon, the witness who reported our local townsmen, Walter Mead, missing. Jake, what do you know about Mr. Mead's disappearance?”

Jake sighs and folds his newspaper in half. “Not much. I expected him to be here when I arrived in town. It's been several weeks and we really have no idea what happened to him.” He takes a sip of his coffee, then turns the questions to Janice. “How well do you know Walter? What can you tell me about him?”

“Well, he was just the sweetest old man. He fixed my front gate last summer and wouldn't let me pay him a thing. He said his only payment was to have me bake him one of my cherry pies. My pies are prize winning at the county fair every summer. I mean, er.....I will be conducting this interview, Mr. Landon.” Flustered by the attention of this handsome rogue, Janice pats her chest and tries to take back control of the interview. “Exactly what is your relationship with Walter, er...Mr. Mead?”

Jake gives her a mischievous grin. “I'd rather talk about this cherry pie of yours....”

A bell tinkles as the front door opens, and in walks Edna, fanning herself from the summer heat. "Whoo-ee, it's hotter than two rats -- What are you doing here, Mr. Froofroo Coffee? Do you think you have enough whipped cream on that drink?”

Another sigh escapes Jake. “I ran into Ms. Tuttlebaum here while I was getting my coffee, and she asked to interview me for the local paper.”

“Why are you sitting so close together?” Edna asks, as she squeezes a chair in between them. Fluffing her hair, she turns to Janice. “Now, let me tell you, I have been neighbors with Walter for almost twenty years, and I am telling you, I suspect foul play. You work for the paper, what are you doing to find Walter?”

“Well, we...uh...we certainly would cooperate or try to help....wait a minute....doesn't anyone understand I am the reporter here. I ask the questions.”

“Geez, touchy.” Edna turns to Jake. “What did you do to make her mad?”

“Nothing! I don’t even know her. I was just sitting here drinking my coffee, trying to read the paper...”

“Why is she all grouchy then?” Edna asks in a not-so-subtle whisper.

Janice huffs. “I am most certainly not grouchy. Now if you will excuse us, I was trying to conduct an interview, Ms......?”

“Allen. That's with two L's.” Edna looks pointedly at her steno pad, and gives her a conspiratorial wink. “In case you want to quote me.”

The bell tinkles again and Sunny marches in, eyes scanning the store for her neighbor. “Edna, what is taking so long? I've been in the car for 10 minutes...... Oh, hi, Jake. What are you doing here?”

“Evidently NOT drinking coffee, OR reading the paper. I think I'll just take my coffee to go. Bye, Sunny.” Jake nods his goodbye at the women. “See you around. Edna. Nice to meet you, Janice.”

Janice and Sunny watch him walk out the door, both obviously appreciating the view.

Edna taps on the reporter's notebook. “Alright Janice, now we can get down to the real story. If you two could peel your eyes off the man's bum for a minute, I am telling you this guy, Jake, is the real trouble. We don't know where he came from or what he does. I think he's dangerous.”

Sunny scoffs. “Oh Edna, you are always exaggerating! Don't start rumors.”

Janice, now all ears, flips to a new page in her steno notepad, clicks her pen several times then begins taking notes. “Now, Ms Allen, with two L's, you said. What exactly do you mean by danger?”

“Well, now I've got your attention. You might want to wipe that drool off your chin, Janice. Let me tell you about this Jake character....”

“Alright, that's enough.” Sunny says. “Sorry, we don't really know anything about the man.”

“Oh, she's just saying that because she has the hotsie-totsie's for him! If you know what I mean, Janice.” Edna winks at the reporter again, but Janice doesn’t notice as she continues to write furiously.

“What? I do not! What are you writing there?” Sunny cranes her neck to see Janice’s pad. “Quit writing! Edna, I am leaving, so if you want a ride home, you better get your hotsie-totsie out to the car! I don't even want coffee anymore!” She pulls on Edna's purse strap while Edna is making 'call me' miming motions with her hand up to her ear to Janice.

“I gotta go, Janice. But mark my words, this guy might be booty-licious, but there is trouble brewing in Pleasant Valley...”

Well, that’s a small dose of life in Pleasant Valley. For more of the antics of Sunny and her pals, the Pleasant Valley Page Turners, check out ‘Another Saturday Night and I Ain’t Got No Body, available on Amazon.com in paperback and Kindle editions.

I am often told that Edna is a favorite character in my book, due to her fun and quirky personality. I would love it if you left a comment about a favorite character you love, in fiction or in real life, that makes you laugh just by thinking about them. Edna is a composite character made up of several older women in my life, but especially, my own grandmother, who always had me stitches. Thanks for stopping by Jennifer’s blog.  

Man Candy Monday 2012~

Wow!! The last Monday of 2012! Now you know I couldn't choose just 1 tasty  morsel for such an occasion....Enjoy!  
And Happy New Year!!!

Friday Fun! Meet author Jocelyn Bell!

Thanks for being here, Jocelyn! Just gotta say how much I really loved this novella. Coop is a hero to die for! :) Best of luck and wishing you tons of sales!

*******

TGIF! First I would like to say thank you to Jennifer Jakes for hosting me on her blog today. I always have a good time when I am here and look forward to getting to know all of her great readers!

I thought I would talk a little about Pen Names, because I was always fascinated with them as a reader and as an aspiring writer, it didn’t make sense that someone would not want to take full credit for their work. Then as an author it suddenly came up and I found some pretty rational and maybe one, tiny little, less rational reason to use pen names! J Here is my quirky story on pen names.

Many authors have pen names and I am sure that everyone has their own special reason. I use them for three reasons. One, because I write more than one genre and I don't want anyone who is a fan of my Contemporary Romances (Kelly Rae) to be offended should they pick up one of my Adult Contemporary Romances (Jocelyn Bell), that includes my dad who only needs to know about the less steamy books!

Second, I chose not to use my married last name, because I didn't want my ex-husband to get a sliver of credit for my words, my work. It sounds less rational as I write it down, but it's the truth! So, I made a deal with my son to put his name all over the place in my Contemporary works, because at nine he was concerned that no one would know that I belonged to him. Super amazing kid, right? RIGHT! I wanted my novels to be all mine, so Kelly Rae it is!  

And thirdly (what an odd word, lol),  I chose to name my alter ego Jocelyn Bell, which is so far removed from my actual name, because she is really another whole side of me. As a writer I can be anything I want, write about anything I want, BE whomever I want. What power?

When I am writing books like, What If... I am the hopeless romantic, mushy, endless love sort of woman. But I cannot sustain this raw, sometimes overwhelming emotion all the time. There are days I am cynical or a real non-believer in happily-ever-after’s and more of a happy for now, sort of girl. On these days, I prefer to write about lust, not love. Or work on romances that are meant to be grand and wonderful, but short-lived.

Not every couple is meant for happily-ever- after. On those occasions Jocelyn Bell gets to come out and play and write novellas like the Voyeur Series, a three-part novella series about finding the person that fits for right now and doesn't focus so much on the forever and ever part. In the first novella Dare Me , a recently divorced Gina finds that her neighbor next door is the perfect escape from thinking about the loser husband who left her for a barista. In Want Me, which came out on December 18th, Angie is trying to avoid good-looking charming men and take her mother's advice to find a mediocre looking man, because they don't cheat. The only problem, her new roommate is fire and sweetness all rolled into one. What's a girl to do...beg him to leave or beg him to stay?

I love getting to be all the sides of myself as I write a new story. In my computer sit at least five different genres of started stories, on some I will write The End and others will just sit. But, either way for the moments that I spent writing a bit on each one, I got to be exactly who I am/was, in that moment. It's some pretty powerful stuff to get to express all of who you are in your work. Sometimes, the characters and stories are nothing of me or my life and all of my imagination, which is just as much fun. I think it must be why there are so many people who want to be actors in this world. It’s fun to be someone else for a while. The opportunity to be all that you are and nothing of who you are at the same time is very intoxicating!

Writing is simply the best!

For those of you who also enjoy a steamier read from time to time, Dare Me is currently available on Amazon, just click here to purchase, or preview if you like. If you stop by and grab a copy today, it’s FREE and there is an excerpt of novella number two, Want Me, in the back. This baby just got a new cover this month and I LOVE it!

       

If you have already read Dare Me and are ready to step into my next novella click here or on the cover above to preview or purchase Want Me!  Thanks for stopping in today, Happy New Year and New Books to all of you!

Xoxo

Jocelyn Bell

Friday Fun: Meet author Elke Feuer + Give*Away!

Hi, Jennifer. Thanks so much for having me as your guest today. I'll give away 1 eBook to a lucky commentator! Be sure to leave your email addy!

Thanks, Elke!! 

Tell us about your real life romance?

My husband and I met at the workplace during a training session. Luckily we didn’t work in the same department. He asked me out and the rest shall we say is history. We’ve been married almost four years.

What is your favorite writing conference to attend?

At the moment it’s RWA’s Regional Conference. I went for the first time two years ago, met amazing people, sat in informative sessions, and came back a new writer. I highly recommend it!

If you could time travel would you go forward or backward

Couldn’t I do both? I’d love to travel backward to see how people lived in the Victorian and Medieval times. Forward to see if they finally invent the device to combine my computer, phone, iPod, eReader into one tiny item that fit neatly in my handbag, right next to my car device like the one in Tron Legacy. Hey, a girl can dream can’t she?  

Tell us about your latest WIP

It’s called Deadly Bloodlines and what makes it exciting to write is that’s set in where I live in Grand Cayman and is about the daughter of a serial killer. I’m hopeful it will be the first of many set in Cayman. 

What is your favorite time of the year?

Without a doubt, Christmas. I get to spend more time with friends and family than any other time of the year and the weather is nicer in Grand Cayman where I live. The humidity drops and breezes blow cool enough that you can open your window.

How likely are people to end up in your next book?

Very likely. I’m a people watcher and a lot of times something about them jumps out at me and says “write me”. Who am I to say no?

Book Blurb

Restoration architect Josie Fagan takes on a project with lawyer and senator’s son, Patrick Pullman. It’s the perfect match. She needs his endorsement to save her business and he wants to restore his ancestral Chicago home. Love wasn’t part of her plan. Neither was being asked to stay at his home, haunted by ghosts, or discovering she has a claim to his home – which she adores. When she finds out his family may be responsible for her aunt’s disappearance fifty years ago, it’s a race to unearth the truth before she loses not only her business and her heart, but her life.

Patrick can’t deny his attraction to Josie and is willing to take a chance on love since his broken engagement a year earlier. Things become complicated when he learns of their family connection and her claim to the home he loves. He doesn’t believe in ghosts, or that his family is involved in her aunt’s disappearance, so insists they work together. But, when he starts seeing his uncle’s ghost, and threats are made on her life, he’s forced to confront the possibility his family could be responsible.

The ghosts of their aunt and uncle forge a connection through them, but is what they feel love or just the ghosts living out their unfinished lives?

Excerpt

Her breath stopped when she walked into his office.

At home, he’d been imposing with his broad shoulders and confident, arrogant air. In the courtroom, he was known as Calculating Pullman for the way he won cases. Seated behind his large mahogany desk he was a frightening force.

“Please have a seat.” He pointed to a chair in front of his desk.

Her heart dropped. She hoped he wasn’t going to give her a long speech like the ones his father gave. Just give me a straight yes or no, don’t sugar coat it. She sat calmly in the black leather chair, smiled through gritted teeth, and for a moment regretted her blatant confidence when they met.

His fingers played with the onyx paperweight on his desk. “Did you get new clients?”

Her heartbeat raced as she shook her head slowly.

“Good, I want you to do the restoration.” His eyes rose to meet hers.

Oh man! There was a catch, and she wasn’t going to like it.

“I want you stay at the house during the renovations and not take on any other jobs until mine is done.”

“What?” He couldn’t be serious. She searched his face. He was. “Why do I need to stay at the house?”

“I need this project finished on time and that will mean having you close to discuss designs and restoration changes. Living at the house is the best option and also eliminates the risk of theft.” He leaned back in his chair. “Room and board is free. You don’t want to waste money your business needs, do you?”

Damn, he knew about her finances and was going to play hardball. Well, she had no intention of letting him use it against her. She was the best candidate and they both knew it. If she wasn’t, he would’ve hired another company. “I want a flattering personal reference,” she countered.

A cocky grin curved his lips. “Then I want guarantees.”

She held his gaze.

“You’ll get your reference if you meet my six-month deadline, if I’m satisfied with the quality of the work, and if the job comes within budget.” He moved his chair back into the upright position.

“That will not include changes you make to my original estimate or if you select inferior products,” she added quickly.

His smile broadened and a boyish dimple winked at her.

Is he enjoying this?

Damn him, he is!

She didn’t like it one bit. He was taking away the control she wanted, needed, to have.

The excitement she’d felt when he agreed to hire her vanished. The masculine atmosphere that had floated in the air like cheap cologne when she arrived squeezed around her, making her uncomfortable.

“Do we have a deal?”

I love hearing from readers. They can contact with me at:

http://elkefeuer.com/

http://www.facebook.com/?ref=tn_tnmn#!/pages/Elke-Feuer/185367964831994

https://twitter.com/ElkeFeuer

http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6550227.Elke_Feuer

http://www.crimsonromance.com/elke-feuer/

Where to get the book

http://ibookstore.com/

Amazon.co.uk

Amazon.ca

eBooks.com

Man Candy Monday!!

Continuing with my salute to the sexy men of Country Music, here's the talented Keith Urban!
What's your favorite Keith song ?

Enjoy!

Fun Post!! A great Christmas Story & Meet author...

Please help me welcome my friend, the very talented RITA GARCIA!
She has a wonderful series out --with a new installment coming in Jan. BUT in the meantime I think you'll enjoy this great Christmas story!
Christmas Future buy link.

Thanks for being here this weekend, Rita!!
******

1. What is the most difficult for you to write: Characters, conflict, emotions?

 

Definitely conflict. My natural inclination is to write stories filled with optimism, and where everyone gets along and never a harsh word spoken. But that, of course, would be the makings of an unrealistic and extremely boring novel. Although, along with my Pollyannaish penchant, I also find a little mischievous pleasure in knowing where my characters go, trouble follows. 

2. Classic Novel you would like to see turned into a movie?

While not classics, I would love to see Lauraine Snelling’s novels, set in the fictional town of Blessing, come alive on the big screen. And I also immensely enjoyed Jan Karon’s Mitford series; her quirky and unusual characters would definitely make an entertaining movie script.

3. If you could time travel would you go forward or backward?

 

I really had fun writing my Christmas novella, which is set in the future. I loved imagining the progress of technology and how it might change our way of life. And the possibility of off-planet travel was beyond intriguing. But with all the changes and progress, I found it heartwarming that some things, like young love, remained the same. Finding Prince Charming still startles the pulse and ignites daydreams.

4. What is your favorite dessert/food?

 

God says he will never give us more than we can handle. Sometimes I wonder about this sweet tooth of mine. Cake, cookies, pie or chocolate—I love them all. Ah, but my favorite dessert is a luscious crème brûlée. Perhaps it’s a favorite because my husband and I are usually on vacation when we indulge in this particular delight.

 

5. Heels or Flats ?

Like most women I have my share of shoes: tennis shoes, strappy sandals, heels and a collection of boots. I must confess, however, I don’t have what some might call a shoe fetish. It’s quite the opposite: my preferred footwear is none. Barefootin’ it is sheer bliss. I love the feel of the soft carpet indoors or the cool green grass outside, but nothing compares with sitting on the beach and pushing my bare toes into warm grains of sand.

6. Tropical or European vacation? 

Blame it on the fact I grew up surfing and frolicking in the ocean—I love the beach. The ocean is one of the many reasons I adore living in Southern California. And Maui with its wonderful beaches is my favorite vacation spot. I’m thinking I need to be in Maui, barefoot on the beach eating a fabulous crème brûlée. **sigh**

Man Candy Monday!

Any Brad Paisley fans out there?? I think he's so cute in a guy-next-door kind of way!
Enjoy!

Friday Fun! Meet Lily DeWaruile !!

Marriage Laws of Celtic Britain

Cyfarchion! I am very pleased to be here with you today and want to thank Jennifer, first and foremost, for giving me this opportunity to share with you some tidbits about the history of marriage in Celtic times.

As some of you may know, I write Welsh Medieval Romance and have recently published the first of a five-book series, titled Pendyffryn: The Conquerors. In the first book, Invasion, I have used several of the forms of marriage to unite various characters in this book. These laws also play a significant role in my first novel, Traitor’s Daughter. Before I go into any details of my latest novel, here is a brief description of Welsh and Irish laws.

Depending on the country, there are nine laws that governed the marital status of a couple. Many of them are not allowed these days but were acceptable in the early Celtic civilizations. My sources for this information are Melville Richards’s Cyfreithiau Hywel Dda (Laws of Hywel Dda), Peter Berresford Ellis’s book, Celtic Women, and Henrietta Leyser’s Medieval Women. These nine forms are also to be found in the eight types of marriage in Hindu law.

Polygamy was a commonplace occurrence in the earliest, war-torn times: a practicality, to provide for the many widows who otherwise would have starved to death along with their children. A warrior with many wives served the social needs of his tribe by taking responsibility for the families of his dead soldiers. Though polygamy was not acceptable, the practice of marrying a brother’s widow was also common in Judaic society – for the same reasons.

The Celts were known for their vociferous sexual appetites. According to (at least) one Celtic woman, when chastised for her lack of chastity, “Why should we not enjoy the best of men. Roman women comingle with the worst.”

As necessity waned, polygamy in Celtic society disappeared and, with the conversion to Christianity in Celtic countries by the 6th-7th centuries, was no longer acceptable. In Cymru, some monastic Celtic Church clergy continued to marry until the late 12th century. In Ireland, polygamy continued for some time after the conversion to the Christian church.

Marriage in antiquity was predominately a contract merger of property for the establishment of a family and household. Marrying for love was not necessarily unknown, as you will see below.

Hywel Dda codified the marriage laws in Cymru (Wales).

The first degree of marriage was priodas (pree-O-das) – the partnership of a man and woman of equal financial position. This is how Heledd and Garmon are wed (eventually) in Traitor’s Daughter. In this form of marriage, a catalogue of goods is made and shared between the partners for the good of the household. I have also used this form in the marriage of minor characters in Invasion.

2^nd form is agwedi (aG-WED-ee). The woman brings a lesser amount or no property to the partnership.

3^rd form of marriage is caradas (car-A-das), from the word caru (cahr-ee) to love. In Cymru, this is when a man lives with a woman with her kin’s consent. In Ireland, the third form is when the man has nothing to offer to the wealth of the household. (She must love him very much!) As it happens, this is the foundation of Gwennan’s relationship to Jehan (Invasion).

4^th form of marriage in Cymru, deu lysuab (day lees-EE-ab), having no equivalent in Irish marriage law, is the union of two persons related only by the marriage of their respective parents, i.e., stepbrother and stepsister. The word llys (ll [an aspirated l] = llees) refers to a court of law; a legal relationship). In Ireland, the fourth form is lánamnas fir thathigthe (sorry, my limited Gaelic won’t help with this pronunciation) – a man is given permission to live with a woman with her kin’s consent. This is the same as the third form in Cymru.

5^th type of marital union is called llathlut goleu (llAHth-leet go-lay) means ‘open connection’ – two people chose to live together openly without the consent of the woman’s kin. Jehan confesses his ‘open connection’ to Gwennan to her father (Invasion).

6^th on the Celtic wedding hit parade is llathlut twyll (llATth-leet tOO-eell [aspirated l]). An independent-minded woman allows herself to be abducted by a man or is visited by a man in secret without the knowledge of her kin. (Wait for this one to appear in Redemption, one of the books in the forthcoming series, Pendyffryn: The Inheritors.)

7^th is beichogi twyll gwraig lwyn a pherth (bay-CHO[hard CH as in loch]-ee too-eell gur-eyeg loo-een ah phair-th), literally “to impregnate a woman between loins and hedge”. This is a double entendre as llwyn also means hedge and ‘hedge’ is a euphemism for a woman’s reproductive organs. This phrase can also be taken to mean “to make love in the hedgerows”.

8^th form, cynnywedi ar liw ac ar oleu (cun-ee-WED-ee ahr loo ahk ahr O-lay), rough literal translation: “to join by color and by light”, a union by abduction of a woman without her consent. (This is saved for Virtue in the forthcoming, Pendyffryn: The Inheritors.)

9^th form of marriage is twyll morwyn (tOO-eell MOR-ooeen), leading on from the eighth, a marriage by rape. In Ireland, there was a different ninth form: lánamnas genaige – a union of two insane people. Both the 8^th and 9^th degrees are employed in Traitor’s Daughter, in an attempt made by Heledd’s cousin.

As you can see, marriage is a fruitful area for background material for Celtic historical romance. My particular interest in Welsh history, language and culture has given me a wealth of ideas to develop and there is always more to find. For instance, did you know that a fundamental principle of Celtic Law was reparation, not punishment? This principle also makes an appearance in Invasion and the second book in this series, Salvation, to be published in January 2013. (Cover Sneak Preview - just for you.)

Once again, thank you for joining me today and especial appreciation to Jennifer for generously offering me a spot in her blogging calendar.

--Lily Dewaruile

FR*EE !

Spirited Miranda Chadwick, reared in the world of science and logic, sails toward the untamed New World, unprepared for her ship to be attacked by the infamous pirate, Gentleman Jack Blackstone. Later, when she discovers him in Charles Town she is determined to see the insufferable rogue brought to justice.

Captain Jack Blackstone doesn't wish to kidnap the daughter of his business partner in the profitable world of piracy, but he doesn't want a pirate's death at the end of a rope either. So kidnap her he does. It would only be a short fortnight till he could return to his quest of the man who killed his family. But he doesn't reckon with the complications of Miranda's father, his own pirate crew, and the lovely Miranda herself.

FREE ON WED. DECEMBER 5th
http://www.amazon.com/Fires-Blackstone-Charleston-Series-ebook/dp/B009QOG3U2/ref=sr_1_sc_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1354654639&sr=1-2-spell&keywords=seafires+christine+dorsey

Man Candy Monday!

Here's one of our favorite Jake Owen! 

Enjoy!