Monday, November 30, 2015

Excerpt From THE NIGHTWIND'S GAMBLE by Charlotte Boyett-Compo

Part of the NAUGHTY CHANCES boxed-set, available for download December 1st

Click here to pre-order now from Amazon http://amzn.to/1YhHGPX
 

Blurb: In the Readem and Reap casino on the edge of the Megaverse, Nightwind Ardian Cree may lose his life-mate with the draw of a card. Will luck be on his side or will he lose everything he holds dear?

Genre/theme: Paranormal, Shape-shifter

Copyright ©Charlotte Boyett-Compo, 2015

Excerpt: 

Ardian ran his hand through his hair as he paced. His lady had gone into the bathroom to take a shower. The sweet smell of the an Tuirc tobacco many of the patrons in the casino smoked from hookahs clung to her clothing and had given her a bad headache. He could hear the shower going and thought of joining her.

He may demand you hand over what is yours to him.’

The memory of those words stopped him from following her into the shower.

A low growl rumbled from his throat. He went to the porthole and activated the shutter that covered the plexigon to keep out the bright sun. Staring out at the wide vista of swaying palm trees, sparkling white sands and gently crashing waves, it was hard to imagine any kind of calamity looming on the horizon. People were running along the beach, tossing flying disks to one another, playing volleyball, lounging on towels after a brisk swim in the azure water—all perfectly content that everything was right in their worlds. They were at the resort to have fun, to relax, to leave their troubles behind. Not a one of them expected those troubles to come looking for them.

As his might be coming to find him.

Cursing, he spun away from the window.

Why hadn’t he answered the Prime’s summons when it came? he wondered. He’d heard the low, insistent whistle that night but he’d ignored it. The trip to the resort would be the very next morning. Boarding passes on the Fiach bound for Lycana were in his overnight bag. All the pertinent bloodwork and DNA samples had been taken by the Healer on Margeaux’s home world. Their heat sigs had been read and forwarded to Lycana. They had been approved and their travel visas issued. All was in readiness. The only thing left to do was pack and board and flee the harsh winter that had brought her world almost to a standstill.

The summons had come while he lay in bed beside his life-mate. It had wound through his head like a deadly ghoret and struck hard before he willed it away.

“Not now,” he’d said with a fierce growl.

Margeaux was more important to him than anything else and her happiness was his happiness.

It had taken him months—months—to coax her from her house and into the yard. Severely agoraphobic, it had taken even more months to get her to venture into the closest town for less than an hour. With him at her side, the fear and incapacitation she had known, that had crippled her, slowly dwindled until she was almost at ease in the world beyond her little house. When the day came that she asked him to take her off-world, he had known an elation more wonderful than when he had been released from the Abyss. Nothing would stop him from giving her the vacation she’d asked for. That was all that mattered to him. The Nightwind Prime could just hold his water until they returned to her home world.

Slumping down on the sofa in the sitting area of their suite, he dropped his head into his hands, grabbed handfuls of his hair and squeezed his eyes shut. If the Prime came to the resort and found him there, Ardian had no doubt hell would be rained down on his head. Syntian Cree had a reputation for being a badass of the highest order. His incarceration in the Abyss—having been sent there by the very woman he loved—had turned him into a monster of legend among the Mealladhs. The demon had developed a perpetual hardon for things that pissed him off.

So engrossed in his own misery, he didn’t hear his lady come into the room until she spoke.

“Did I tell you I saw a coven mate of mine at the spa this morning?” Margeaux asked as she came into the sitting room.

He lifted his head. “What?”

A part of him stirred at seeing her wrapped in a semi-wet towel as she blotted at her wet hair with another towel. With her head tilted to one side, she was absolutely adorable—like an inquisitive kitten. His body hardened as he swept his gaze down her shapely bare legs. Her bare feet never failed to arouse him, and he had to force himself to look away from the bright red toenail polish she wore.

“Her name is Annaliese,” she said. “We took our tenth degree adept training together.”

“That’s nice,” he mumbled.

“She teaches at a private school for girls on Amhantar and will be here her entire summer vacation.”

“Good for her,” he said although he couldn’t have cared less.

“I hope she finds someone to hang with,” she said as she rubbed her hair dry with the towel.“

"Someone of the male persuasion.”

The towel clung to her ripe curves in such an enticing way all thoughts save one evaporated from his mind. He straightened and leaned back on the sofa.

“Come here, milady,” he said in a deep, husky tone that made her arch a brow.

She gave him a coy look.

“And if I don’t?” she asked.

He knew his slow smile did delicious things to her lower body—she’d told him as much—so he bestowed his slowest, most promising one upon her.

“I’ll come get you,” he stated. He patted his knee twice. “Now come here.”

Her answering smile took his breath away as she dropped the towel in her hand and came over to crawl into his lap. Her weight was so minimal he barely felt it settle on his legs but his cock felt her thigh pressing against it so that his entire body became aware of her. He wrapped his arms around her and she laid her head on his shoulder.

“Feeling better?” he asked. He loved the gardenia smell of the body wash that clung to her flawless skin, and the dampness of her curls tickling the side of his neck sent spirals of desire racing through his bloodstream. He could just make out the swell of her lovely breasts over the edge of the towel in which she had wrapped herself.

“You don’t believe what the Gravelord said about that card, do you?” she asked. Her fingers were toying with the button on his shirt.

“Of course, not,” he said.

That wasn’t true but he wanted to alleviate her worries, not underscore them.

“What if he does come?” she asked.

“He won’t,” he said, tightening his arms around her protectively. “The Prime has more important matters at hand than visiting a resort. If Syntian Cree were to ever take a holiday, the Megaverse might well implode.”

“Still…” she said.

He crooked a finger under her chin to lift her face so he could look into her beautiful eyes. He searched those gentle orbs, hurt that unease was registering there.

“Stop worrying,” he said then bent his head to kiss the tip of her nose.

“I can’t lose you, Ardy,” she said. The worry that put a quiver in her voice angered him.

“You aren’t going to, dearling,” he stated. “So let’s get your mind off doing so.”

He slid his hand from her chin to the top of the towel where it was tucked tightly against her chest and pulled it from its nesting place. The towel parted to reveal the soft flesh and full bosom that never failed to inspire him.

“What do we have here?” he asked as he ran his palm inside the fold to cover one breast.

“Has something caught your eye, milord?” she countered.

“Aye,” he replied. “Something that looks very tasty.”

He moved the arm behind her back to lean her gently over it so he could lower his mouth to the taunting nipple of the breast around which his palm was molded. The moment he drew the nubbin between his lips, his lady sighed and closed her eyes—her body going limp in his hold. She threaded her fingers through his hair to hold him to her.

Swirling his tongue over the peak, he could feel the nipple swelling, hardening beneath his touch. He lightly clamped the straining tip between his teeth and a shudder rippled down Margeaux’s body. When it did, he released his grip on her breast to glide his hand down her ribcage then lower to the spiky curls at the juncture of her thighs.

“Ardian,” she whispered, her head falling back in surrender.

Very slowly, he rubbed her mound with his palm. Let his fingertips slide fleetingly over her clit with every circuit until she was writhing in his lap—her sweet rump grinding against his groin. Her thighs fell apart. A low moan came from deep within her throat.

He smiled, for he knew all the right places to touch her. How those places should be touched, when and with the correct amount of pressure and time spent stroking them. With infinite care, he spread his index and middle finger to spike them into the valleys on both sides of labia. With even more care, he dragged them up again but this time spreading her nether lips farther apart. Down again and when he drew his fingers up once more, he allowed her to feel the light scrape of his short fingernails on her flesh.

“Ardy!” she called out with a hiss.

She liked that. How well he knew she liked that.

Lifting his middle finger, he replaced it with his ring finger—holding his middle one away from her as he began the slow descent down the valleys again. When he pulled his hand up, he pressed the elevated digit into the sweet channel where his cock was aching to be.

She wiggled against that gentle invasion until he sank his finger inside her. Another low, satisfied moan left her lips and he began a slow press and withdraw, press and withdraw that soon had her wetting his flesh with each insertion.

“That feel good?” he asked.

“Aye,” she said with a groan. “But I know something that would feel even better."

Sunday, November 29, 2015

The Big Bad Wolf’s Naughty Appetites by Belle Scarlett #shifter #romance #recipes http://tinyurl.com/jkuz8gm

Once upon a moonlit night in late October in the Enchanted Forest where cursed beings are consigned until the spells that bind them are broken…

Thus opens the first title of my Enchanted Lovers series, The Woodsman, an adult-style fairy-tale in which the Big Bad Wolf is the winner.

Now available on Amazon ~ #99cents
After he captures Lady Lily Rouge's carriage, Sir Marrok Ulfang, aka the biggest, baddest wolf the Enchanted Forest has ever seen, has only one day to win her heart and claim her first sexual surrender. Even if it means giving the nosey pixies fluttering outside his cottage window an eyeful. 

Otherwise, a wolf shape-shifter he'll stay, damned to remain in the lonely Enchanted Forest forever.

But while he can arouse her virginal body to fever pitch, he quickly learns that his spirited, saucy Lily has a mind and will of her own.

And the daylight is fading fast.

Meanwhile, the one who cursed Marrok lurks in the forest and will fight to keep the couple from leaving together alive.

As with any male, fiery-haired Lily learns the way to a hungry wolf’s heart is through this stomach. And what would a Red Riding Hood tale be without the heroine’s trusty, well-stocked basket of goodies to sustain her on her journey through a magical wood?

Lily returned her attention to the carriage window and scanned the inhospitable night. Nothing moved outside. Now was her chance.
She took a deep breath and tried to open the carriage door. Fear made her stiff, chilled fingers clumsy as she fumbled with the handle. She needed something to stop her hands from shaking. She glanced around at the stacked pieces of baggage and plucked a flask of wine she spied poking through the opening of a lidded, woven basket that Cook had packed for her journey.
Undoing the stopper, she tipped a healthy swallow down her throat. Dull warmth spread through her and burned her cheeks. All at once, she could not quite recall why she had been so frightened a moment ago. Tucking her liquid courage back into the food hamper that dangled from her elbow, Lily muttered an unladylike “Merde” and alighted from the carriage.

With the temperatures growing nippy outside, here’s a recipe for “Lily’s Liquid Courage” ~ otherwise known as Warm Spiced Wine:





Ingredients

6 whole cloves
1 orange, quartered
1/2 cup fresh orange juice
1/2 cup brandy
6 tablespoons sugar
3 cinnamon sticks
2 bottles cabernet sauvignon

Preparation

Press cloves into the peel of quartered orange.
Combine all ingredients in a medium saucepan.
Bring to a simmer over medium heat (but do not boil).
Reduce heat to low, cook 30 minutes.
Remove orange and cinnamon.
Pour into festive glass mugs.

Garnish with a cinnamon stick and/or orange slices.

Serving size is ½ cup: yields 12 servings

Note: You can make this more boozy if you like ~ it all just depends whether your inner-wolf is feeling naughty or nice.

So now that we're all feeling really relaxed after a nip or two of that howling good drink... 

Here’s another hearty taste of The Woodman (see what I did there?)

All during her trek through the wood, Lily had kept a death grip on the food hamper. It was the only connection to the civilized life she had known mere hours ago. Now, as delayed reaction set in, she unsteadily opened the basket and uncorked the wine bottle for another bracing swig. Then two more gulps. Fresh warmth doused her insides, relaxing her jangled nerves.
Wiping her mouth with the back of her hand, she glanced out the window. Her wolf promptly curled up in front of the threshold and appeared to sleep.
For want of anything else to do, Lily turned to survey her surroundings. The fireplace hearth glowed softly with a few dying embers from a cook fire that must have been lit early in the day. A pot with the congealed remnants of a venison stew hung on the spit hook.

If you’re a carnivore, a piping bowl of the Big Bad Wolf’s Venison Stew with some homemade crusty bread on a cold day will soothe the savage beast.  (On the other hand, if you’re a vegetarian or vegan, look away… Look away now!)




Note: This dish has a lot of ingredients but so worth it and it’s not that labor intensive once you’ve gathered all the goodies together.

This can be made with shorter cook time in a cast iron Dutch oven, but I love tossing all the ingredients into my slow cooker and letting it have its delicious way with the tender succulent chunks of stew meat and veggies.

This hearty stew is comforting and so satisfying after a day spent playing out of doors in the cold.  You can substitute elk or beef stew meat if you can’t find venison or still think of it as “Bambi’s Mom” (!) as one of my nieces refers to deer meat.

Ingredients

2 cups (1-inch) cubed peeled Yukon gold potatoes (or red)
2 cups cremini mushrooms, sliced
1 cup (1-inch) cubed onion
1 cup (1-inch-thick) slices celery
1 cup (1-inch-thick) slices carrot
1/3 cup tomato paste
2 teaspoons chopped fresh oregano
1 1/2 teaspoons sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme
1 teaspoon chopped fresh rosemary
3/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 large garlic cloves, minced
1 bay leaf
1/4 cup all-purpose flour (about 1 ounce)
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon black pepper
1 pound venison tenderloin, cut into 1 1/2-inch pieces
1 tablespoon canola oil
1 cup brown ale (such as Newcastle)
1 (14-ounce) can less-sodium beef broth

Preparation
Layer first 14 ingredients in an electric slow cooker, placing the food that takes the longest to cook on bottom.
Combine flour, 1/8 teaspoon salt, and 1/8 teaspoon pepper in a shallow dish; dredge venison in flour mixture.
Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat; add venison.
Cook 4 minutes or until browned on all sides, turning frequently.  Work in batches if necessary.
Add venison to slow cooker.
Pour beer and broth over venison.
Cover and cook on low 7 1/2 hours or until meat is tender.
Remove and discard bay leaf.
If you and your wolf pack don’t gobble this all down, you can freeze in airtight containers for up to 3 months. When re-heating just add in a little more water or beer.
Serving size is about 1 1/2 cups; yields 6 servings.


I hope you enjoy these seasonal goodies from Lady Lily’s basket! 

Speaking of treats, treat yourself to The Woodsman today!  The ebook is available now on Amazon ~ see the trailer:


Here’s the 1st chapter listen from the Audible version is coming in December!:





"...a first rate romantic fairytale - adult style... With keen wit and good humor Ms. Scarlett presents a delectable tale..."
– Alternative Read

"...an erotic version of Little Red Riding Hood in which the wolf is the winner."
– Eye on Romance

“beautifully written… powerful and exciting.”
– Review at ParaNormalRomance.org

“…masterfully written…The love scenes are H.O.T…”
– Manicreaders.com

“…set in an interesting world… a fun short read.”
– Bittenbybooks.com

“…red hot… sexy and fun…This is one very good read.”
– Coffeetimeromance.com



Enjoy all your winter feasts!

Happily Ever After,


(Thanks to CookingLight.com and MyRecipes.com for inspiring the above deliciousness in my cooking hearth and now, hopefully, yours!)