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Wednesday, November 4, 2009

U2 Rocks!

U2 360 Tour at the Rose Bowl October 25, 2009!

It was my great privilege to attend U2’s 360-tour show at the Rose Bowl on October 25th. I’ve loved U2 since I was a girl and I knew it was going to be a good experience but I was completely unprepared for the magnitude of this spectacle.

The first thing I noticed was that the crowd of nearly a 100,000 people was very polite and well behaved. It was a pleasure to be in their company. The group was wildly diverse I saw a sampling of everybody and a surprisingly high number of elderly people and children. I’m a people watcher so I was in heaven looking at the human buffet walking by and reminding myself everyone in this massive crowd had their own story, their own hardships and their own reasons for being here. Even though it was only a rock concert, just seeing that many souls together in one place with a common purpose was almost overwhelming.

The next special thing I realized was this concert was being filmed for DVD and streamed live to the world on Youtube. It was very sobering to receive emails that morning from friends all over the world saying they were setting their alarm clocks or switching schedules at work so they could watch the show in real time with us. Our friends from all over the country, South Africa and Ireland emailed to tell us they were with us in spirit and sharing the experience. The planet seemed to shrink a bit.

One of the show highlights was the fact that they projected a live feed from the international space station and astronauts on the space station spoke with earth during the show. Buzz Aldrin, the second man to walk on the moon was in the audience, so U2 projected a beautiful picture of the moon onto the stage's curved screens so he would feel at home.

The Black Eyed Peas opened the show along with a guest appearance by Gun’s and Roses guitar-hero Slash. They were great! The dancing started and never stopped. My husband and I paid for seats we never used. We were on our feet the entire night dancing and shaking our glow sticks. I went absolutely berserk when U2 took the stage. For the next two hours I was nineteen again. My husband just kept looking at me, smiling.

There was a moment in the show that felt like a prayer. The energy of the crowd rose and when it reached it’s zenith and I couldn’t take the tension a moment longer, a tall spire on the top of the stage lit up, pulsed and shot intense beams of light into space. It truly was an ascended moment and a bit like sending out the “Bat Signal” to God. We all knew we were a small part of a very special moment.

I bless U2 for staying loyal to each other, relevant, creative, aging gracefully and most of all showing us middle-agers we can still rock! Needless to say we will be attending the next U2 concert.

XXOO Katalina Leon

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

Calling All Readers

Recently I've seen a surge in hits to both my blogs. This is great, but I'm not sure if it's readers or friends. Friends and fellow authors drop by each others blogs and leave comments all the time. It's great how we all support each other, but I want to know what the readers think.

Do you enjoy author's blogs? Do you leave comments? Why or why not? Is there something you'd like to see more or less of or hear about?

Sometimes I wonder if I'm wasting my time blogging all week long. I'm not sure if it's paying off. So readers I want your opinion.

Lastly, I'm the featured author at Lia Slater's blog today. Drop by, leave a comment and you could win a free download of Talk Dirty to Topaz.
http://liaslater.blogspot.com/2009/11/writer-with-sizzle-amber-skyze.html

Monday, November 2, 2009

REVIEWER TOP PICK: "SEXY GAMES"

Shamelessly patting myself on the back for this! "Sexy Games", erotic romance by April Ash, got a great review!

Happy Dancing here...sincere but not very pretty at my "old age" and lack of rhythm. (Envision a Maxine - Barney the purple dinosaur combination!)

I'm posting my 5 HEARTS, REVIEWER TOP PICK review of "Sexy Games" by Diana Coyle, Night Owl Romance:

"I thought this was a fantastic story from the start. I loved the creative storyline and enjoyed that Sloane and Stacy were going to “work” together for one whole week. I hoped that even though they were using the games as the excuse for their spending time together, that they would open up to each other and see where they really stood with one another. I thought Stacy was perfect for Sloane and I only wished that he would eventually see that himself. Ms. Ash is a very talented storyteller and she knows how to transport you into her storyline with ease. Well done, Ms. Ash!"
To read the full review, go to:
http://www.nightowlromance.com/nightowlromance/reviews/Review.aspx?daoid=4881

BLURB:
Naughty Games Company Invitation: Test new games. Consenting adults. Male-female. Company penthouse. One week. Associates of NGC only.

Invitee employee Stacy Newman accepts. Betrayed by a past ex-fiancé, her goal is to concentrate on her career, sell a game idea to NGC, and open her own store.
Invitee Sloane Hoffman, son of NGC’s CEO, accepts. He knows his dad wants him to take over the company. He’s been hurt and used by past lovers only after his money and what he could do for them.
Months earlier, they shared a night of passion but a panicked Sloane left without a word when Stacy inspired thoughts of “commitment” and “settling down”. His disappearance left her heartsick.
As game partners they’ll test games that require role-playing and sex. Undeniable lust and mutual desire quickly resurfaces, and they agree to a business-only venture. They choose games called “Hot Sands” (sheik and bride-to-be), “Teach Me” (nerdy professor and stripper/lap dancer) and “Royal Romps” (Lady and butler).
Spending time together offers chances to learn more about each other, fall in love, and share passionate sexual adventures. But, two misunderstandings occur, threatening to pull them apart once again, this time forever.

As the season of Thanksgiving draws near, I'm extremely grateful for this review. Reviews mean so much to authors...they're validations of hard work and effort.

http://www.mariannestephens.net
CERRIDWEN PRESS:
http://www.jasminejade.com/default.aspx?skinid=13

http://www.aprilash.net
ELLORA'S CAVE:
http://www.jasminejade.com/default.aspx?skinid=11
“SEXY GAMES”:
http://www.jasminejade.com/p-7393-sexy-games.aspx

Sunday, November 1, 2009

Cerise is lying in bed eating grapes and drinking wine!

What's a broken bone or two?

In case you weren't aware, Cerise decided to try falling down her stairs instead of walking. *sigh* These romance authors...always trying something new. New experiences...new ideas...

Well, since she is lying around enjoying being waited upon by her sweet man, she asked us to "fill in" for her. So I am telling you all about this woman!

Too late, Cerise...you gave us carte blanche to take over your day until you are healed and back to work... *evil laugh*

Cerise DeLand is a woman with such a true zest for living, she makes everything seem larger than life. Her wonderful sense of humor, and her fabulous recipes for Afternoon Delights have kept us entertained and sated for months!

Her books are hot, heady, and fabulous. Written with humor and sexy heat by an expert story-teller. A loving friend, she is always there when you need something. She is the first to bring the wine, and the first to suggest a scrumptious recipe for seduction.

Get well quickly, dear...we miss you!

Fran


Saturday, October 31, 2009

'Tis All Hallow's E'en...keep th' candles alight...


Devil's Night Has Passed, and Samhain Fast Approaches!

The plight of the world rises as the veil between the world and the otherworld thins and allows fer the passage of spirits and ghoulies...whether they be evil or benign...and 'tis the even of All Saint's Day...better known to the modern world as
All Hallow's Eve!

Gather round, me sweeties, to hear of the legendary evil that tracks the nights o' this region...'tis said the creature walks the nights from dusk 'til morn's first light, and sleeps while the sun's light is above us. Nay...'tis not the shadow man whose fingers reach out from beneath the children's beds to catch the unwary. And 'tis not the gudgeon beneath the scullery sink hidin' in the dark with the spiders and rats. Oh, believe me, little ones...'tis much worse of a danger than such simple evils.

Guard well yer children. Guard well yer wives. Coop the chickens and herd the sheep to shelter, for the evil that walks tonight does not rest 'til the blood of the innocent be they human or beast be drained and consumed. No man is safe upon the byways without comfort of numbers and weapons suitable for the slaughter of the evil undead...sharpen well yer stakes of alder and ash, and keep an eye peeled to the dark beyond yer lamps and fires. For none is safe this night of evil...

Hear you his footsteps slow approaching yer door? Does not the dread rise within ye like bile boilin' in yer throat? Does not yer heart pump in dread of his passin'? Dear lord above...the footsteps approach the bolted gate like drums of evil poundin' in yer ears.

The sound of multitudes of terrible voices shout fer ye to open to their evil countenance...

Dear po'ers that be...protect us from the chorus of evil clamorin' to gain entry to th' house!

Hear them? 'Tis the doom o' us all!

No! Open not the threshold! Can ye not ken th' disaster ye' bring?

Oh NO!


Now you've done it! And I forgot to buy the damn Halloween candy.



Happy Halloween!





Friday, October 30, 2009

Scary Bites!


Real Life Ghost Stories


Remember the movie The Sixth Sense? That was me. When my mom saw the film, she called me and said, Wow, now I understand! I was that kid hiding in a closet surrounded by my toy horses, my fingers in my ears to shut out the voices of the hovering spirits. I was the little Jewish girl on my knees in every Catholic church, covering myself with holy water and genuflecting in the hopes it would keep the ghosts away. But they kept coming and they scared me nearly to death! Of course they didn't look like they did in movie. Ghosts look like they did in life, unless they are quite distressed and then they are kind of a ball of chaotic energy.

Took me years to come to terms with the fact that I see and hear ghosts. They come for a reason - because they have unfinished business that they want me to finish. I generally refuse. It's not that I'm not sympathetic, it's just that...well...exactly how would you approach a complete stranger and say...uh...I just spoke with your dead brother and uh... I can't bring myself to do it. I have only passed on messages on those occasions when I knew I could make a difference and the person I was asked to contact wouldn't be likely to call the police.

Over the years, I've lived in three haunted houses - one in Iowa, two in Utah - that darn Utah - and met some pretty interesting spirits out here in Cali. My favorite is this very handsome Native American man I see when I hike. I see him on one particular trail in one particular place. He's caught in time, stalking a deer, just beyond a pile of fallen rock. He always appears in the autumn, just before the rains begin. I stand still and watch him. He's bent over, walking silent as a big cat, all his attention focused on whatever is ahead of him. His chest is bare, he wears deerskin leggings and moccasins. His hair is long and braided and tied with a deerskin thong. I wish he could see and hear me, but he can't, so my dog and I stand and watch until he vanishes into thin air. Oh yeah, my dog can see him too. Nothing stirs with his passing aside from my heart. It's such a poignant moment and I wonder why he's stranded there, in the midst of this one act. Did he die that day? Or is this simply a reflection of what was? Perhaps one day, if only in a story, he'll stop and turn and see me. And I'll know the answer.


Thursday, October 29, 2009

Oasis of Pleasure




My first sci-fi book, Oasis of Pleasure, releases from Ellora's Cave on Friday, October 30th!
Aliens who embrace the pleasures of the flesh in every conceivable manner and at every possible opportunity? A delightful fantasy, but for average Earthling Elizabeth Malloy, it is her shocking new reality. When two sinfully divine specimens of Argon male goodness boldly stake their claim to her body and her heart, the adventure truly begins.

Hagan Ruuchar, commander of the Argon explorer ship Oasis, takes skillful control of Elizabeth’s body from the first moment they are alone. Gareth Ornne, second-in-command, playfully offers himself to Elizabeth, allowing her free rein to explore her newfound sexual freedom. Together, they enthusiastically initiate Elizabeth into a world of decadent, uninhibited, orgasmic delights she never imagined existed.

Reader Advisory: While primarily a m/f/m ménage, our two heroes are also lovers and some of their passionate interaction is described for your reading pleasure. You’re welcome!

An Excerpt From: OASIS OF PLEASURE
Copyright © TESSIE BRADFORD, 2009
All Rights Reserved, Ellora's Cave Publishing, Inc.
http://www.jasminejade.com/

Elizabeth delighted in the safe, secure feeling of being sandwiched between her two lovers. Her body still hummed with pleasure and she nuzzled Gareth’s groin while Hagan planted little kisses along the back of her neck. Too soon for her liking, Hagan rolled off her and onto his side.

“That was entertaining.” She smiled against Gareth’s body and snuggled closer. He cradled her tightly and stroked her from the top of her head to the middle of her back. “I could have a nap now.”
“I think not, little one.” Elizabeth felt Hagan’s weight leave the bed. “That was a delightful start, but far from the final lesson.”

Hagan’s serious tone combined with the muffled sounds of him moving around the room brought Elizabeth to a sitting position so she could see what he was up to. He filled three glasses with a bright green liquid, bringing two of them over to the bed. Gareth grabbed his and downed it in one gulp before rising and leaving Elizabeth alone on the mattress. She eyed the offered beverage with more than a bit of skepticism.

“You have made it wonderfully clear that you do not require chemical stimulation to heighten you body’s natural reactions.” Hagan grinned wickedly, raising the glass to her again. “This is nothing more than a tasty libation to quench your thirst.” He waited for her to start sipping before walking away to join Gareth across the room.

Elizabeth enjoyed the sweet liquid and tried to ascertain what the men were doing, but they were both standing behind the counter and there was no way she could see around their broad backs. She strained to hear their muffled voices, but unable to do so, she drained her glass and got up off the bed. In an effort to relieve her pleasantly sore muscles, she raised her arms high above her head with her fingers clasped together and stretched. Hagan and Gareth turned to face her at the same moment, both smiling broadly in appreciation of her pose.

“Sweetling, you must be possessed of psychic abilities.” Gareth walked around the counter toward her, running a long length of black silk between his fingers. Hagan followed with an identical piece of cloth that he was winding and unwinding around his own wrist.

“Hold up there, boys.” She held out her hands in front of her in a gesture meant to stop their approach. “We need to discuss what you have in mind.” The men kept silently moving toward her.

Gareth arrived first and wrapped his silk loosely around her throat. He picked up the ends and brushed them across her nipples, bringing them to attention. He then reached back and Hagan handed him the second piece of cloth, which he used to expertly tie her wrists together in front of her body. Gareth took a step back to stand next to Hagan and survey his handiwork.

“Seriously, Hagan,” the slight quaver of her voice betrayed her burgeoning unease, “this might be way out of my league!” She looked down at her bound wrists.

“Why do you address me, Elizabeth? I did not bind you.”

“You may not have tied the cloth, but you are undeniably in control.” Elizabeth smiled as Hagan’s penis twitched and thickened.

“You said you trusted us,” Gareth stated quietly. Elizabeth waited expectantly as he walked around her. “You are a strong and independent woman.” On his next pass in front of her, he picked up one end of the cloth that dangled from her neck and, as he moved around her body, he drew it under one of her breasts. He then reached from behind her to draw the second loose end of the silk beneath her other breast. He gathered and bunched the fabric in his hand and held it to the small of her back, wrapping the material tightly yet not uncomfortably around her neck. He ran his hand up and down her throat, causing Elizabeth’s head to drop back onto his shoulder.

“Is it not titillating to wonder if you can escape my hold? What is going to happen next?” He breathed the questions in her ear. “Who will take you first or will we take you together?”
He was right of course. All of those questions and more were echoing through her mind as her body sprang back to life. She felt completely exposed and the tension of the fabric around her neck and wrists sent shivers of desire as well as apprehension racing along her nerve endings. Her claustrophobia made her very careful to never end up in any situation that severely restricted her movements, so the fact she hadn’t fought Gareth was both exhilarating and confusing. Instead of experiencing mind-numbing fear, her heart raced with sensual anticipation.

“Gareth asked you questions, Elizabeth. Why am I again waiting to hear a response from you?” Her head snapped up off Gareth’s shoulder when Hagan tweaked both her nipples roughly. She had been so lost in her thoughts she hadn’t realized he now stood mere inches in front of her.

“My mind tells me I should be afraid.” She placed her bound hands around Hagan’s impressive erection. “But I’m so horny I just want somebody’s cock in my pussy soon.” She squeezed for emphasis.

“And still you try to coax us to perform under your direction.” Hagan slid his penis from her grip and walked over to press a button on the wall by the bed. Elizabeth watched in stunned disbelief as a rope with a hook on the end descended from the ceiling directly above her head. Hagan stopped it at the perfect height so Gareth could lift and secure her bound wrists to the waiting hook.

“Meena failed to tell me about this little feature of these rooms.” Elizabeth chuckled in an attempt to cover her shock.

“If we had showed you this on that first day,” Gareth ran his hands along the sensitive underside of her upraised arms, “I shudder to think of the ‘hissy fit’ that would have ensued.” He positioned his cock to nestle along her ass crack. Hagan continued to torment her nipples, but he was looking over her shoulder at Gareth when he spoke.

“We need to discuss our plan of attack.” He offered Gareth a sinister grin. “And I note that you are attempting to breach the orifice I told you will belong to me for the time being.” Elizabeth gasped loudly but neither man paid her any attention.

“Forgive me,” Gareth responded solemnly, “but with such a delectable ass crying out for attention,” he wiggled his hips, “I simply forgot myself. Perhaps you would allow me the honor of preparing her?” Elizabeth welcomed the support of the hook when her legs weakened considerably.

“Wait a second,” she cast a worried glance at Hagan, “I’ve never done it that way.”
“You have welcomed my fingers on more than one occasion, little one.”
“There’s a bit of a size difference between a couple of fingers and your cock, you know!”
“An obvious observation that proves the necessity of receiving the proper preparation. You may attend to it, Gareth.”

The tension in the silk wrapped around her body disappeared, signaling that Gareth had moved. Elizabeth didn’t take her eyes off Hagan as he pulled up a lounge chair and dropped down into it, casually hanging one leg over its arm. He took his cock in his hand.

Elizabeth was strung tighter than a bow, all mixed-up between anxiety and anticipation, lust and helplessness. She jerked when Gareth’s tongue made first contact with her butt cheek. She tried to turn around, but somehow the hook and rope were now frozen in place. She couldn’t keep the panic out of her eyes.

“Relax, little one, watch me.” Hagan lowered his voice to a seductive growl and ran his hand up his length. “Watch as my cock grows while he stretches your ass. Imagine how it will be when I enter you.” Elizabeth cried out when, without preamble, Gareth slid one lubricated finger up her rear channel and held it still in her body. “I might pull out only to return slowly and more aroused.”

Gareth followed Hagan’s instructions, sliding out of her and returning with two fingers. With tormenting slowness, he pressed past the resisting ring of muscles to tunnel deep. Elizabeth whimpered at the unknown sensations, but the discomfort of her virgin asshole being stretched was far outweighed by the heat building in her abdomen and the decadent reality that Hagan was directing Gareth’s every move.

“Or possibly I will spread your luscious cheeks and taste your essence.”

“Thank the gods,” Gareth murmured. When he parted her cheeks, Elizabeth had to spread out her legs and lock her knees to accommodate him. His tongue started at the base of her spine, moist and warm, tickling down her crack to finally lick around her puckered anus. When he surged deep, Elizabeth’s back bowed and she pulled down desperately on the hook.

“I can’t take any more, Gareth…please!” She sobbed, sounding as if she wanted him to stop but rotating her ass seductively against his mouth.

“Search your feelings, Elizabeth.” Hagan brought her attention back to him with the tone of his voice. “You are wild with the need to be taken in this manner that you have been taught is forbidden.”

“Yes,” she admitted urgently, and gasped when Gareth increased the tempo of his strokes. “Yes, you’re absolutely right! You need to finish this. I’m so close, Hagan, please make me come!”

“Enough, Gareth,” he ordered, rising out of his chair. “You have performed your appointed duties with your usual expertise.” Hagan lowered Elizabeth’s bound arms and she collapsed forward against his massive frame. “I will bring her to you when you are ready.”

Elizabeth turned just in time to see Gareth give a sexy shake of his hips as he made his way to the bed. He fluffed the pillows and settled himself comfortably. Her lusty gaze immediately fixated on the glistening head of his cock.

Hagan led her to the bed by the silk around her neck. He pulled it tight just long enough for her to look deeply in his eyes before he drew it off her neck and untied her wrists.

“You will now take Gareth’s cock deep into your pussy, but when you are filled, you will not move until I tell you to.”
Tessie