First meeting…again #MFRWHooks

One Woman Only by Dee S. KnightThis is a blog hop. Be sure to check the link at the bottom to see posts from other authors!

Blurb:
As one of a set of triplets, Jonah Goodman has always stood out as the least academic—and the last one to take the world, or commitment, seriously. Thing is, that’s not really who he is. But who can he convince of that? Not his family, who see him as they always have. And maybe not his one love, the sweetheart he left behind in high school but with whom he is now sharing an erotic holiday. Will he get his second chance to prove to Kelly that he is a loving man who wants more than a sensual few days, but a real relationship with the woman he lost once and doesn’t want to lose again? With that chance and Kelly’s love, Jonah knows that a “good man” can become a better man.

Buy link:
Kindle Unlimited

MFRW Book HooksExcerpt:
He left the car under the cover in front of the door and strode into the lobby. A petite brunette stood at the registration desk. “May I help you?”

“Yes, I’d like a room.”

“For tonight?”

“Yes.” Jonah dug his wallet out of his back pocket and removed his VISA.

“One king or two queens?”

“One king.”

The girl typed furiously and then looked up. “We only have two queen rooms.”

“Then that will do.” He didn’t give a flying fuck how many beds were in the room as long as it had one as a minimum.

Jonah tapped his card on the counter and then walked to the door to look out at Kelly sitting in the car. He wasn’t dreaming. That really was Kelly Shepherd sitting in his car and they really were checking into the Family Inn.

“Just one person?”

Oh yeah. He hadn’t actually checked in yet. “Two.”

“Oh.” What the fuck? Did that sweet young thing just frown in judgement?

“Luggage?”

“No.” There was that frown again. He glanced down at his clothing, looking a little wilted now after the wedding and imagined what it looked like, his checking in with someone, obviously coming from a party of some sort. But again, what the fuck? She worked in a no-tell motel. Lots of people probably checked in here in for a quickie.

That thought shocked him. Kelly Shepherd was no quickie. If anything, she was the love of his life, the one he’d never forgotten but never felt he deserved. The rich girl whose daddy owned more than half the town and rented most of the rest. And he was…

For the first time, he saw himself as Daniel had seen the three of them since childhood. Well-loved and well cared for bastards. Yeah, no kids had ever had better parents but that didn’t change his parentage. Who was he to hold Kelly Shepherd in his arms?

Just as he started to turn toward the door to leave, the desk clerk asked, “First floor or second?”

“Look, I don’t mean to be rude but just pick out a vacant room, tell me how much it is, run my credit card, and give me the key. My bride has been waiting in the car long enough.”

Her eyes widened. “Your…your bride? Why didn’t you say so?” Her fingers flew across the keyboard. She took his VISA and gave it back after a few seconds. “Park right out there in front of the light pole and you can come in through the front doors. Take the elevators to the third floor and go all the way to the end. That whole wing is empty so you and your wife can have some privacy.”

“Thank you, uh”—Jonah looked at her nametag—”Ms. Clark. I appreciate it.” Without waiting for more conversation, He dashed back to the car. Minutes later, holding Kelly’s hand tightly, he walked quickly back through the lobby.

“Congratu— Oh!” Little Miss Desk Clerk exclaimed. “You didn’t wear white.”

“What?” Kelly asked, slowing Jonah down with a tug on his hand.

“I said, you didn’t wear white. To the wedding.”

Shit. After almost talking himself out of taking Kelly up to the room, now interfering Ms. Clark was going to do the trick for him.

“No. That would have been inappropriate.”

Jonah saw Ms. Clark’s eyes widen again as he realized the spin her mind put on Kelly’s words. Then that damn frown returned. Jonah wrapped his arm around Kelly’s shoulders. “Come on, sweetheart. Our room is ready.”

“Okay,” Kelly said, gazing into his eyes with the love a real bride would have for her new husband. No, wait. That was a look of confusion. No matter. He pulled Kelly to the elevators and punched the button with his index finger. Once inside, he took her in his arms and kissed her with all the heat that had been building in him all night. To his relief, Kelly responded in kind, pushing her fingers through his hair and holding his head to hers.

When the elevator slowed and then stopped, they stepped into the hallway. Jonah checked the room number on the key card holder and turned them to the left. In her heels, Kelly had a hard time keeping up, so he swept her into his arms.

At their room, she took the key card from him and opened the door. Once inside, Jonah was certain his heart would burst from needing, from wanting, from years of unfulfilled dreams, all about to come true.

“What did that girl mean?”

“What girl?” Jonah took he shawl from her shoulders and folded it loosely on the dresser.

“The girl at the front desk. What did she mean about my not wearing white?”

“Oh, that.” He emptied his pockets onto the dresser, and deftly removed a condom from his wallet. “I told her we’d just been married.”

“What? Why would you do that?” Kelly moved away from his fingers that were trying to find how to unwrap her wraparound dress.

“Because she kept making judgmental noises and frowning. She made me feel guilty for bringing you here.”

“So, when she noted that I wasn’t wearing white she assumed that I wasn’t a virgin?”

“Probably.” Jonah took a step back and gazed at her. “Does that bother you? Because it damn sure bothers me that she dared make any assumptions about us.”

Kelly smiled. “You of all people know that I’m not a virgin.”

Jonah groaned. “Can we please not talk about that night again? And especially not now?”

Kelly smiled. “Sure, we can do that. And do I care what that little girl downstairs thinks? Not a whit. I just care what you think, Jonah. Here and now.” With a flick of her wrist, the tie came loose and the dress flowed to the floor. There, standing before him in all her glory wearing only a lacy bra and little satin short-short things, was the woman of his desires.

Author Dee S. Knight:
A few years ago, Dee S. Knight began writing, making getting up in the morning fun. During the day, her characters killed people, fell in love, became drunk with power, or sober with responsibility. And they had sex, lots of sex.

After a while, Dee split her personality into thirds. She writes as Anne Krist for sweeter romances, and Jenna Stewart for ménage and shifter stories. All three of her personas are found on the Nomad Authors website. And all three offer some of the best romance you can find! Also, once a month, look for Dee’s Charity Sunday blog posts, where your comment can support a selected charity.

Website: https://nomadauthors.com

Blog: http://nomadauthors.com/blog

Twitter: http://twitter.com/DeeSKnight

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DeeSKnight2018

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/265222.Dee_S_Knight

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B079BGZNDN

Newsletter: https://landing.mailerlite.com/webforms/landing/h8t2y6

LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/dee-s-knight-0500749

Sweet ‘n Sassy Divas: http://bit.ly/1ChWN3K

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Charity Sunday: World Central Kitchen

Charity Sunday: Dee S. KnightHow Charity Sunday works: for every comment made on this blog post, I will donate money to the charity named. The same promise is made for every blog site listed in the group–click the Linky Links link at the bottom of this post to see the list of participants and read/comment on any of them to see a donation go to that blogger’s charity. We’re all different! Thanks for your help and your participation!


World Central KitchenI’m sad to say that my charity of choice this month has to do with helping our fellow citizens put food on their tables. This past year has devastated many households—mostly by loss of jobs or by striking down those who could work. World Central Kitchen helps folks get nutritious meals all over the world, but this year, during the trials of COVID-19, they have worked within the U.S. Their mission is: “WCK uses the power of food to heal communities and strengthen economies through times of crisis and beyond.”

WCK has a top rating in Charity Navigator. The organization started with two people and an idea—an inspiration to all of us who wonder if “I” can make a difference! You can. WE can! I hope you will comment below and help me make a good donation to World Central Kitchen.


The Cinderella Curse by Dee S. KnightFor my book this month, I’d like to introduce you to The Cinderella Curse, on sale now as pre-order. In it, one man makes a huge difference in Charlotte Gambrell’s life by showing her her own beauty.

Blurb:
One evening, in a land far away, a wife spins a story for the amusement of her husband. Like the original tale, this contemporary Cinderella is definitely for those who love romance and a HEA. However, she adds a few touches of the erotic. For her husband, you understand.

In this tale, Charlotte dreams of her prince, James, but learns about beauty and love from her fairy godfather, Cooper. She might not lose a glass slipper, but her heart is in danger of being left behind. One thing for sure, by the time our Charlotte arrives at the ball, she’d sure like to know which man is her real Prince Charming.

Buy link:
Kindle Unlimited

Excerpt:
When they finished eating, Charlotte started rinsing the dishes for the dishwasher. Cooper took a plate out of her hand and put it in the sink. “Leave that. I’ll get it later.” He dried her hands with the dishtowel and looked intently into her eyes.

She backed away and lifted the ends of her mouth slightly, suddenly very nervous. “No, I don’t want to leave all of the clean up to you. I’ll help.” She turned back to the sink. Cooper leaned against the counter with his arms crossed.

“Charlotte, don’t be scared of me.”

She looked at him in amazement. “Scared of you? I’m not scared of you, I’m scared of myself.” She looked down into the sink where she rubbed the dishcloth over the same spot on a glass. Cooper took the glass from her and put it in the dishwasher.

“I think this is clean enough,” he said. He gently pushed her out of the way and finished rinsing the dishes in the sink. When he was done, he turned to look at her as she stared out the patio door, into the dark.

Charlotte had put the kettle on for tea while Cooper was busy at the sink, and the whistle abruptly blew, shattering the quiet that had fallen over the kitchen. When Charlotte turned to get the kettle, she ran into Cooper’s broad chest.

He put his hands on her arms to steady her, then before she could move away, bent his head for a light kiss. “There’s no need to be scared of either one of us,” he said, raising his lips a whisper above hers. “We’re friends, aren’t we?” He brushed his lips gently over hers. “And friends shouldn’t be so nervous around each other.”

Nipping at her lips he pulled her with him to turn off the kettle, diminishing the whistle to a muted burbling noise. “Do you really want tea?” he asked, his voice suddenly deeper. She shook her head, never moving her eyes away from his. A faint smile crossed his face. “Good.”

Cooper stood back from Charlotte. “Here’s your first lesson,” he said. “Look at me and tell me what you see.” Charlotte gazed into his face, intently searching for some hint of what he meant. Her brow puckered as she studied him.

“Your eyes look darker than normal, and a little…intense.” He smiled and nodded his head.

“Right.” He kissed her quickly, running his hands up and down her arms. “Anything else you notice about me that’s different?”

“Your voice sounds funny.” Cooper winced slightly. “I mean different. Deeper, kind of hoarse,” she added lamely.

“That’s okay. Those are both signs that a man is getting turned on. Usually they’re accompanied by lots of touching like I’m doing now. And then there’s the obvious indication.” He glanced at his fly and Charlotte followed his look. Her eyes widened as she saw the thick, long bulge straining against his jeans.

“Being turned on often happens just through touch and sight, but real seduction happens using all of the senses. Smell is really important, not just with perfume but also a person’s normal scent, soap or shampoo, and certainly the scent that comes when a man and woman are ready for each other or after they’ve just been together.” He leaned forward. “Your hair smells like fresh air right after a rain. Now I’ll always associate that with you.”

He leaned away to look into her eyes. Charlotte was staring intently at Cooper, concentrating on all he was telling her. “Sound lets your partner know when something feels good, or when it isn’t exactly what you want. Little whispers of how you feel are something I like, although not everyone does.” Leaning in again he put his mouth against her ear. “Will you let me know when I do something you like, Charlotte? For instance, do you like it when I run my tongue along the edge of your ear?” As he did, she inhaled sharply, then let out a ragged sigh. She nodded.

He leaned back to see her face and smiled. “Good. I liked it, too. Did you know that the tongue is incredibly sensitive and that it’s covered in taste buds? That lets me taste you, Charlotte, and sampling your flavor is very erotic, both in your mouth and in other places.” He nipped at her lips, but didn’t push her to go farther.

“I didn’t know it was so complicated.” She sounded breathless.

He laughed low in his throat. “It isn’t really. I’ve probably explained it badly. Much nicer to learn from experience. Come on.” He took her hand and flipped the light out in the kitchen.

Author Dee S. Knight:

 

A few years ago, Dee S. Knight began writing, making getting up in the morning fun. During the day, her characters killed people, fell in love, became drunk with power, or sober with responsibility. And they had sex, lots of sex.

After a while, Dee split her personality into thirds. She writes as Anne Krist for sweeter romances, and Jenna Stewart for ménage and shifter stories. All three of her personas are found on the Nomad Authors website (www.nomadauthors.com). Fortunately, Dee’s high school sweetheart is the love of her life and husband to all three ladies! Once a month, look for Dee’s Charity Sunday blog posts, where your comment can support a selected charity.

Author links:

Website: https://nomadauthors.com

Blog: http://nomadauthors.com/blog

Twitter: http://twitter.com/DeeSKnight

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DeeSKnight2018

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/265222.Dee_S_Knight

Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B079BGZNDN

Newsletter: https://landing.mailerlite.com/webforms/landing/h8t2y6

LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/dee-s-knight-0500749

Sweet ‘n Sassy Divas http://bit.ly/1ChWN3K

 

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Bravery, like beauty, is an individual thing #MFRWauthor

What’s the bravest thing you’ve ever done?

Truthfully, I’m not sure I’ve ever done anything that could be considered brave. To me, being brave means to be afraid of something you have to do and then doing it, pushing past the fear. I’ve jumped in a car and driven halfway across country alone—before the age of cell phones—but I wasn’t afraid to do it. Seemed like natural, in fact. Call it undeserved confidence. I’ve been in and out of hospitals and hade multiple surgeries, but I had no choice, so I know they don’t count as being brave. I’ve never saved anyone, fought a fire, or even faced down a bully. Thinking about all this, I feel kind of useless…

In my defense, maybe I’ve never had to be brave. I’ve spent life surrounded by good people who loved me and protected me. I’ve never been confronted by bullies, nor have I been in dangerous situations where folks needed saving.

So, I guess I’d have to say, the closest thing I’ve done that could be called brave is trucking. I gave up every material thing I had and a very good job that wasn’t easy to get, in order to go on the road. And I was scared of failing—what would we do if I hated it or driving a tractor-trailer didn’t work out? But my fear was mitigated by 1) a wise woman reassuring me that our parents wouldn’t let us starve on the streets if we didn’t make it as truckers, and b) I wasn’t alone—I had hubby with me. Add to it, I was too young and stupid to be afraid, so does that count? I don’t know. Can’t help it, though, it’s as close as I can come.

Have you been brave? What did you do?

Read the next blog in the blog hop by going here.

Dee

Burning Bridges by Anne Krist–Gold Medal winner, Best Romance 2020, Coffee Pot Book Club
One Woman Only
Only a Good Man Will Do
Naval Maneuvers

Unintended consequences #MFRWsteam

Only a Good Man Will Do

Blurb:
Seriously anal man seeks woman to encoOnly a Good Man Will Do by Dee S. Knighturage his goals, support his (hopeful) position as Headmaster of Westover Academy, and be purer than Caesar’s wife in order to set a good example. That’s what Daniel wants. Too bad what he gets is one hell of a sexy woman who doesn’t care for rules.

Buy link:
Kindle Unlimited

MFRW SteamExcerpt:
“Hello?” Eve’s voice sounded as smooth and sexy as it had last Friday when she’d whispered harder into Daniel’s ear. Then, he’d been driving into her. Now he was passively listening over the phone, and still her voice had him hard in seconds.

Unfortunately, the sex had been on Friday, and this was Monday. A long, lonely weekend had intervened, making his cock twitch in protest that he was on the Westover Academy campus and she was miles away in her apartment above The Bare Moose tavern.

“Did I interrupt you? Are you already at work?” He hoped not. He wanted her in her apartment, wearing nothing but silky stockings and heels.

“No, I was changing and thought you might call, so I stopped dressing. I’m stretched out on the bed right now.”

He couldn’t believe she meant what he thought she meant. “You’re naked?”

“Naked, hot and wet. Dripping wet, wishing your cock was deep inside me.” Her voice dropped an octave; his dick grew an inch.

“God, you’re going to kill me.” Imagining her with no clothes, spread wide and aching for him the way he ached for her, he unzipped his trousers and released his cock from his briefs. His cool hand caressing the shaft didn’t begin to lessen the fiery desire fueling his erection.

“Baby, it’s what you do to me,” she purred. “My nipples are at attention, hard and peaked, and I can feel you sucking them. Your mouth is so hot, your tongue is rough on my sensitive skin.”

“I love your tits, God knows I do, but I want to taste your pussy.”

“I’m open and waiting. But I warn you, I’m so close, just a lick will make me come.”

She thought she was close? He couldn’t remember the last time he’d jacked off, and he’d never had phone sex. Jonah had told him once that he had had phone sex and how fucking hot it had been. Daniel hadn’t been able to imagine that it could compare in any way to the real thing—and he was right, of course. But in lieu of the real thing, Jonah was right. It was fucking hot.

“Put your lips on me, Daniel. Lick me up.”

Titillating nuances, double entendres, maybe a hint that he might get lucky at the end of an evening—that had been the extent of his sensual telephone experiences. Those experiences were as far from this as, well, North Carolina small town life was from Westover Academy. Eve was inviting him to eat her, and there was no way he’d disappoint.

“Sweetheart, I’m gonna do more than lick.” Scrunched down in his leather armchair, still dressed in his suit and gown from class, he stroked his length, only vaguely aware he’d slipped into his Carolina drawl. “You’re so sweet, Eve, your cream is like honey. And your smell.” Closing his eyes, he inhaled as though his nose could really detect the bouquet of her arousal. “I think in a room of women I could find you just by your scent if you were aroused.”

“If you were looking for me, I’d be aroused.”

Faster and harder, he pumped his dick.

“Is your clit sensitive? I’ve sucked it into my mouth and it’s swollen and thick against my tongue. And don’t worry, I’ve slipped a couple fingers in your sweet, wet pussy, and we’re jammin’, honey. Most of my face is covered in your juices.”

“God! Can you come with me?”

“Yeah, oh yeah, one second.” His breath caught. He jacked his strokes until his hand was a piston. “Now, sweetheart, now!” Daniel growled the words as his cock pulsed, shooting cum into his palm, which deflected it away from his shirt and vest.

Caught up in his release, he wasn’t too far gone to hear Eve’s panting breaths and soft whimpers. He wanted her to scream, to wrap herself around him and let the sounds and convulsions of her orgasm reverberate through him.

Finally, he heard her soft breathing. “Eve?”

“Yes, Tony, thanks so much. I’d better go now before my friend Daniel calls.”

He shot up half-way. “What the fu—” Her laughter stopped him dead, and he caught the joke. About to rake his fingers through his hair, he took a look at what covered his palm and reached over to pick up an unused napkin from the coffee table. With some difficulty, he wiped his hand and cleaned himself. “Please tell me you’re really naked and that wasn’t an act.”

“Believe me, Mr. Goodman, that was no act. That was incredible.”

“Thank God. I’ll have to have this suit dry cleaned and I’d hate to think it was for a one-sided hand job.” He chuckled but his voice and tone were once again Daniel Goodman, Ph.D., all trace of North Carolina gone.

She laughed again. “I like that you called before you even changed clothes. You’re not going to stick me with the cleaning bill, are you?”

“When I stick you with something, it won’t be a bill.” He smiled at her chuckle. “How did you know it was me calling?”

“Well, let’s see…”

In his mind, he pictured her lying on her back and staring at the ceiling, one leg bent and the other across it, swinging as she talked. One finger would be twirling a long strand of her hair, her cheeks would be pink and glowing, and her eyes sparkling with satisfaction. How could he be so in tune with a woman he’d met barely a week ago? It seemed a miracle. For the millionth time he wished she had a nice, respectable job, where she’d fit into the Academy culture and he wouldn’t be risking his career to date her openly.

About Dee:
A few years ago, Dee S. Knight began writing, making getting up in the morning fun. During the day, her characters killed people, fell in love, became drunk with power, or sober with responsibility. And they had sex, lots of sex.

After a while, Dee split her personality into thirds. She writes as Anne Krist for sweeter romances, and Jenna Stewart for ménage and shifter stories. All three of her personas are found on the Nomad Authors website. And all three offer some of the best romance you can find! Also, once a month, look for Dee’s Charity Sunday blog posts, where your comment can support a selected charity.

Where to find her (them):
Website: https://nomadauthors.com

Blog: http://nomadauthors.com/blog

Twitter: http://twitter.com/DeeSKnight

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DeeSKnight2018

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/265222.Dee_S_Knight

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B079BGZNDN

Newsletter: https://landing.mailerlite.com/webforms/landing/h8t2y6

LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/dee-s-knight-0500749

Sweet ‘n Sassy Divas: http://bit.ly/1ChWN3K

Secret Christmas wish #MFRWauthor

Christmas wish--cleaning lady!There actually isn’t too much I would like to have for Christmas. Most everything I’d like to have, we have. We don’t live too high, but with just the two of us and very small extended families, we generally buy what we want when we want it. I know I’m blessed, and I try to be appropriately grateful. However… I do wish we could afford some household help. As a housekeeper I make a great trombone player. I was raised by a mom who loved to read, and she told me that dust bunnies can always wait until after the next chapter…and the next. I learned the lesson well. But now, I’m physically unable to care for things as I should. It would be nice to have someone come in every two weeks or so and just do the things very hard for me to do without pain—like vacuuming/scrubbing floors or cleaning the bathrooms.

However, that’s one wish Santa will not be filling. I’m not too upset as I Christmas wish under treeknow things will get done eventually by me. I’m my own little elf! 😉

Do you have a secret Christmas wish that (darn it!) probably won’t be under the tree?

Read the next blog in the blog hop by going here.

Dee

Burning Bridges by Anne Krist
One Woman Only
Only a Good Man Will Do
Naval Maneuvers

Charity Sunday: The Idaho Food Bank

Charity Sunday: Dee S. KnightHow Charity Sunday works: for every comment made on this blog post, I will donate money to the charity named. The same promise is made for every blog site listed in the group–click the Linky Links link at the bottom of this post to see the list of participants and read/comment on any of them to see a donation go to that blogger’s charity. We’re all different! Thanks for your help and your participation!


Idaho Food BankI’d like to make a huge donation to the Idaho Food Bank this month. This 4 star charity (according to Charity Navigator) has a mission to: “To help feed, educate and advocate for Idaho’s hungry through collaborative partnerships to develop efficient solutions that strengthen individuals, families and communities.”

Idaho, for all its beauty and being nice place to live, is not a wealthy state. We value our way of life here, though, and want to care for our own. Please comment and help me help!


My book this month is one that is coming soon, The Cinderella Curse. Here’s a preview!
The Cinderella Curse by Dee S. KnightBlurb:
One evening, in a land far away, a wife spins an adult, erotic fairy tale for the amusement of her husband. Like the original tale, this contemporary Cinderella is definitely for those who love romance and a HEA. As Charlotte dreams of her prince, James, but learns about beauty and love from her fairy godfather, Cooper, will she lose a glass slipper or her heart? One thing for sure, by the time our Cindy arrives at the ball, she’d sure like to know which man is her Prince Charming.

Excerpt:
Katherine walked into her daughter’s bedroom with a warm smile for the little girl. “And who do I find here?” she asked. “Is it a rock star, a fashion model or an award winning actress?”

“Oh, mommy, you know who I am,” the girl said with a giggle. For just a moment Katherine’s breath caught and her heart overflowed with love for this four year old person. She and Cole had made this child, had conceived her in love, trust and respect, but it still seemed incomprehensible that she was as beautiful as she was, as sweet and wonderful as she was. Katherine could so clearly see Cole’s eyes and her mouth reflected in their daughter’s face, but there was more there that was a combination of them both, and therefore all Alyssa’s. Katherine had to remind herself that probably all parents felt their children were perfect and wonderful, but with their little Alyssa, she knew it was true beyond any doubt.

“Yes, I know who you are, my little love. You are queen of my heart, princess of my mind, ruler–”

“–of all I hold dear.” Alyssa finished the oft heard phrase in triumph. She had bouncy curls of brown hair that hung down to her chin, gleaming blue eyes and a pert nose. Her mouth was most often formed around a smile.

“You’re getting too smart for me, Munchkin. What story would you like to hear?” Katherine settled her daughter under the covers, and positioned herself at the head of the bed next to Alyssa’s pillow, so that the child could see the pictures in the book and also be in place to fall asleep.

“Cinderella!”

“Okay, Cinderella it is.” Katherine reached for the book from the stack of those on the bedside table and opened it to the first page.

“Once upon a–”

“No, mommy. You’ve got to start with the title.”

With a small smile Katherine turned to the title page and started over. “Cinderella.” She flipped back to the story. “Once upon a time…”

Minutes later, long before the clock had struck midnight and the glass slipper had been lost, Alyssa was sleeping. Katherine stood and moved her slightly, so that she was in the center of the bed. She smoothed Alyssa’s hair from her face and kissed her forehead, making sure that her stuffed bunny was firmly secured in her arm and that she was warmly covered. As Katherine turned, she saw Cole leaning against the doorjamb, watching her with a tender expression.

“You know that I think you’re the most beautiful woman on the face of the earth, but when I see you with Alyssa, it’s almost too much. You two are the most important things in my life.”

Katherine turned out the bedside lamp and walked into Cole’s arms, stretching into him as he stroked her back and nuzzled her hair.

“As the two of you are to me,” Katherine responded. “Let’s go downstairs.” With Cole’s arm wrapped around her shoulders they made their way to the living room.

Cole had started a fire and the room was warm and softly lighted by the flames; crackling of the burning logs and popping as sap hit the heat of the fire were the only sounds.

Cole poured glasses of wine and they rested, Katherine against his chest in the circle of his arm, Cole leaning against the rounded arm of the sofa. They sat peacefully for several moments, staring into the fire. With his hand over her shoulder, Cole caressed Katherine’s breast; she rested her hand on his leg, with her elbow covering and lightly putting pressure on the bulge in his pants.

“Are you going to tell me a bedtime story now?” asked Cole.

“Would you like one?” He kissed the top of her head and nodded.

“Okay, do you like Cinderella, too?”

“Sure. The adult version, however. I didn’t mind the children’s version when I was a child, although I always thought the prince was too much of a sissy. I thought she should find a good warrior to marry.”

“You would, you blood-thirsty man.”

“Now, I think the prince would be looking for a bit more in a wife than simple beauty and strange taste in shoes.” He looked at Katherine’s platform shoes. “Although unusual taste in footwear isn’t always a negative.”

“Thank you,” she said smartly.

He chuckled. “So make sure that Cindy has all the requisites to be the wife of a prince.”

“And what might that entail, do you think?” Katherine sat up and turned so that she could see her husband.

“Make her like you.” Katherine gave her husband an appreciative look as he continued. “Definitely she has to be a sexy number. The dress is okay, but it’s what’s under it that counts. She has to know things. Even if she’s hot in bed, you can’t spend all your time in bed, right? And she should be a good cook.”

“Good cook? And why is that m’lord? Hasn’t the prince cooks aplenty?”

“Sure, but when they’re finished having sex late at night after the little princess is asleep, who will get up to fix him something to eat if not his wife?” Cole looked at his wife through his long, thick lashes, with just a hint of a smile. “She has to know her way around the castle kitchen. That’s a must. You wouldn’t suggest waking the kitchen staff for a ham sandwich, would you?”

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Ham or turkey leftovers. Does it really matter? #MFRWauthor

Grilled ham and cheeseThis year I made a big, fat boo-boo. I had in mind to fix a ham for dinner. Ham is something we rarely have, so it sounded appealing—a treat in this year that has been no treat. So I bought a ham. Jack, at nearly the same time, said that a local grocery had turkey thighs and breasts on sale. Since he doesn’t like white meat and I don’t care for dark, and there are only two of us, so we didn’t need a whole bird, that seemed like a great solution. Without conscious thought, we ended up with both turkey and ham for Thanksgiving dinner. Talk about a plethora of goodness! We’ll have a little of each for dinner and then I will cut and package the rest to use in leftovers or to freeze.

So for ham leftovers, I’ll make bean soup, ham and potato soup, Turkey pot pieham and mac & cheese, and of course sandwiches. But with the turkey I’ll make turkey pot pie. Here’s my recipe, give or take. I kinda make it up as I go along but this is a reasonable facsimile. I make two—one with white meat and one with dark. I know, I know. I spoil the man but what can I say? I love him.

TURKEY POT PIE
Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees F

Filling:

  • 3 cups (or so) of cubed turkey
  • 4 carrots (peel if you like. I don’t) roughly chopped
  • 1 med onion, roughly chopped
  • 2-3 celery sticks, sliced
  • 8 oz mushrooms, sliced
  • 1 cup peas

Sauce:

  • 6 Tbl butter
  • 6 Tbl flour
  • 4 cups chicken/turkey stock
  • 1-2 cups milk, heated until warm

Crust:
Enough dough for top and bottom crust (you’ll have too much for a regular old pie plate. I use a large casserole dish for the white meat pie and a pie plate for the dark meat. This recipe makes a lot!)

Instructions:

  1. Sauté celery, carrots, and onion until soft. Add mushrooms and continue until they give up their liquid.
  2. Add salt and pepper to taste if desired. I don’t add either but that’s just us.
  3. Set aside.
  4. Melt butter in a 4 quart pan.
  5. Add flour and stir for about two minutes, cooking the flour and making a roux.
  6. Add stock, whisking as you do to avoid lumps.
  7. Just when the sauce starts to thicken, add milk and whisk until thick and smooth.
  8. Remove from heat.
  9. Add the peas.
  10. Add remaining vegetables and meat and stir to mix. (This is where I divide the mixture to add the different types of meat.)
  11. In your baking dish(es), place the bottom pie crust. (Okay, I’ll confess to using Pillsbury…)
  12. Pour in the filling with sauce and top with the second crust. Crimp the edges closed. Slice two or three holes to release steam.
  13. Bake for about 30-40 minutes, until the crust turns golden and some of the filling shows around the slits.
  14. Let cool 10-15 minutes and then spoon out into a bowl.

I cover with foil and refrigerate for several days. It gets better and better!

What is your favorite holiday leftover recipe?

Hoping your holidays were–and continue to be–wonderful!

Read the next blog in the blog hop by going here.

Dee

Burning Bridges by Anne Krist
One Woman Only
Only a Good Man Will Do
Naval Maneuvers

KU books highlighted in N.N. Light’s Kindle Unlimited Bookish Event!

Kindle Unlimited Bookish EventI’m so happy to be part of this new N.N. Light promotional event! Today they’re featuring my book Passionate Destiny.

Enter to win! One person will win an e-book bundle of all 40 books featured in the Kindle Unlimited Bookish Event: https://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/92db775085

The event is open Internationally and runs November 10 – 15, 2020. The winner will be drawn on November 18, 2020. Good luck!

Passionate Destiny by Dee S. KnightDr. Margaret Amis-Hollings, professor of women’s studies at a small New Jersey college, is a woman who confidently knows who she is and what she expects of life. Until she loses her teaching position and her well-ordered life gets turned upside down. Then, in a subtle stroke of whimsy, fate tosses her a gift in an historic home and property in Virginia.

Harboring visions of Gone With the Wind, she determines to use River Peace as a temporary reprieve from her troubles. Images of Tara quickly evaporate when she arrives to discover the reality of her inheritance, however.

River Peace has history, grace and style going for it. After only one night, Margaret discovers that it also has a ghost. She’s visited by a male spirit from the time of the War Between the States, who knows how to make a woman feel special. And very loved.

Aaron Belton meets Margaret when she first arrives in Virginia. He’s renowned for historic renovations on a multitude of properties, but he’s got a special place in his heart for River Peace. He and his family believe the property always should have belonged to them. In fact, Aaron will do almost anything to make that happen. When his passion for the house changes to a passion for the house’s owner, Aaron’s as surprised as anyone. Can he gain both, the woman and the house? To do so, he’ll have to face a spectral being.

And his own destiny.

What the heck is Women’s Lit, anyway? #MFRWauthor

Is women’s lit a sub-genre of romance? That’s this week’s question.

Writing women's litSomeone asked me a while back if my book, Burning Bridges, was romance or women’s lit? She said the description sounded like women’s lit, and she doesn’t review that genre. Gosh, this was something I hadn’t considered before. I thought of my book as romance. I think of women’s lit as centered around a woman and how she solves her life problems, but with elements of romance. In fact, so many books I read as “women’s lit” were actually (in my mind) romances. The woman’s problem was so often being alone (after a long-term breakup or a failed marriage) and finding a new partner while solving her problems. I fail to see how that is different from most romances.

So maybe if the book is about a woman (or women) andPlanning a women's lit book there is very little romance or bonding with someone else? Is that women’s lit? Goodreads lists The Joy Luck Club, The Time Traveler’s Wife, Jane Eyre, Pride and Prejudice, Bridget Jones’ Diary and others as women’s lit books. So, okay, I see the difference. These are not considered romances (although maybe Bridget Jones disagrees?), and they are by and about women. But they follow a romance arc and many of these books do end with a love bond that provides a HEA, so… I’m still kind of confused. I will take a firm stand however, and say that true women’s fiction is not a sub-genre to romance but that some books cross over into both genre. There. That should settle the question.

What do you think?

Read the next blog in the blog hop by going here.

Dee

Burning Bridges by Anne Krist (that’s maybe women’s lit)
One Woman Only
Only a Good Man Will Do
Naval Maneuvers

Please! Desire Me Again… Anthology of second chances

Desire Me Again anthologyThe hopeless romantic believes that a soulmate exists for each of us. That there is one person who makes us feel how good it is to love them. For some couples, things trigger them to push that love away. They find out too late they’ve lost true-love. Sometimes genuine love deserves a second-chance at the happy ending that eluded them the first time.

Desire Me Again is an eclectic assortment of short stories exploring a second-chance at love. The collection is as diverse as the authors who wrote them. Here’s a chance to read the work of talented writers you may not have read before. Within these pages, there are blends of tender, often moving and thought-provoking stories.

Featuring: Annabel Allan, Patricia Elliott, R.M. Olivia, Carol Schoenig, Virginia Wallace, Gibby Campbell, Dee S. Knight, Alice Renaud, Jan Selbourne, Zia Westfield

MFRW Book HooksSecond Chance blurb:

Sandy Henderson had been a sweet, wholesome girl in her first year of college, sure of herself and totally in love with her high school sweetheart, Tom Pritchard. Then something happened that shattered her dreams, her confidence, her will to live. When she meets Tom again many years later, she resists taking a chance on love because of her secret, but Tom won’t give up on her. On them. Or will he, once she tells him about her past?

Buy link:
Amazon US https://amzn.to/34NstC7

Second Chance by Dee S. KnightSecond Chance Excerpt:
Cafeterias are big deals in the South–or they used to be. Going out to a good cafeteria was always a treat to my aunts and grandmother.

“Tom,” Mrs. Henderson exclaimed. Like everyone he knew in their town, she stretched the one-syllable word into two. Tah-um. Until he’d joined the Corps he didn’t really know what people meant when they talked about southern accents. Now he considered the soft consonants and extended vowels charming. Part of being home.

Glancing over her shoulder, Tom saw Sandy stick her head around the kitchen wall. “Hey,” he called out to her. Then concentrating on her mother, he held out a bouquet. “These are for you, Mrs. Henderson.”

She flushed like a schoolgirl when she took the flowers. “How did you know that tulips are my favorite?”

He hadn’t.  He’d asked the florist to put together something cheerful that an older lady might like. He hoped the brightly colored blooms might bring a smile to Sandy, too.

“Just a guess,” he answered.

“Come in, come in,” Mrs. Henderson backed up and held the door wide.

He stepped into a living room that had seen very little change in the last two decades. It was neat but held a slight whiff of shabbiness. Mrs. Henderson would probably call it comfortable rather than shabby. Tom wondered what Sandy thought of it.

Finally, the woman in question emerged from the kitchen, wiping her hands on a dishtowel. The night was warm and she looked as though she’d just finished doing dishes. Her hair was damp and stuck to her forehead, and a light sheen of sweat clung to her cheeks. His groin tightened when he noticed that her shorts hugged her hips and her sleeveless blouse was slightly dampened, too, showing her white bra through the thin fabric. His mind filled with ways he could make her body slick with sweat, the ways he could make her much more than warm.

“I know I said we should try to get together before I leave, but I didn’t actually mean tonight.”

“I’m sorry to barge in, but I wanted to ask you to dinner tomorrow night.” Before Sandy could form “No, thank you,” as her lips where shaping up to do, he interjected, “And your mom, too.”

Her mother’s eyes widened and she slapped the hand holding the tulips to her chest. “Oh, my! Sandra, we have a beau!”

Sandy smiled. Then she turned to him. “I don’t know. We have so much to do here.”

“Sandra, please. It will be so much fun. I haven’t had dinner out since your father last took me, and that’s been…at least three years.” She turned to Tom. “Could we go to that cafeteria up on the highway?”

Tom laughed. “We can go anywhere you want.”

Mrs. Henderson snapped her head back toward Sandy. He knew the minute Sandy gave in. Her shoulders slumped slightly, but she smiled at her mother. “If Tom is willing to make every other man in town jealous by escorting the lovely Henderson women out to dinner, who am I to stand in his way?”