This week’s naughty topic is Friends With Benefits. Stop on by and let me know your thoughts on the subject.

Thirteen Word Facts

The English language is complex, often confusing, and can be fun. Here are thirteen facts you may not know about English words.

The word “verb” is a noun

The only 15 letter words that can be spelled without repeating a letter are “dermatoglyphics”, “misconjugatedly” and “uncopyrightable”

No words in the English language rhymes with month, orange, silver, or purple

The word “gullible” is not in the dictionary

“Stewardesses” is the longest word typed with only the left hand

The longest one-syllable words in the English language are “scraunched” and “strengthed”

“Dreamt” is the only English word that ends in the letters “mt”

“Typewriter” is the longest word that can be made using the letters on only one row of the keyboard

There are only four words in the English language which end in “dous” — tremendous, horrendous, stupendous, and hazardous

The word “time” is the most common noun in the English language

The longest non-medical word in the English language is “Floccinaucinihilipilification,” which is the act of estimating as worthless

The word “monosyllable” actually has five syllables in it

There is no other words with the same meaning as “synonym”

The word “queue” is the only word in the English language that is still pronounced the same way when the last four letters are removed

“Rhythm” is the longest English word containing no vowels

Links to other Thursday Thirteens!

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here! The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!
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A friends sent me this link and I think its a great idea. If you go to this web site, http://www.letssaythanks.com you can pick out a thank you card to personalize. Xerox will print it and it will be sent to a soldier currently serving in Iraq . You can’t pick out who gets it, but it will go to a member of the armed services.

How amazing it would be if we could get everyone we know to send one!!! This is a great site. Please send a card. It is free and it only takes a second. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if the soldiers received a bunch of these? Whether you are for or against the war, those fighting to keep us all free need to know we support them!

It’s Thursday. That means its time to be naughty. This week’s topic on the Hussy blog is a humorous piece about Holiday Stress. Stop by for a chuckle.

Thirteen Things I’m Thankful For

Whether you celebrate the holiday with the traditional turkey feast, create your own custom or treat it as just another day, I wish you a Happy Thanksgiving. I hope your heart is filled with contentment, love and peace. May your mind be occupied with thoughts of the good things in your life, while remembering those less fortunate. I pray that your loved ones and family will be gathered near, if not in person than at least in spirit. Here are 13 of the many things I’m thankful for.

My supportive and loving family

An abundance of true friends

Unconditional love from Snickers (chocolate Labrador retriever) and Louie (tuxedo cat)

Good health

The ability to make a difference in the lives of the children I care for in my health care career

The ability to craft stories others find entertaining

Financial security provided by my two careers

My editors, who make me a better writer

My publishers for believing in me

My readers, who clamor for my books, and the wonderful emails they send

The voices in my head, whispering their stories and making all of this possible

All the great online resources which make research a breeze

The difficult times and events which have afforded me a true appreciation for the times when things are going well

This is just a small glimpse of the bountiful blessings in my life. My greatest desire today is that my words will inspire you to stop and appreciate the riches of your own life that tend to be forgotten in the everyday rush of activities. Happy Thanksgiving!

Links to other Thursday Thirteens!

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here! The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!
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It’s Release day…YAY! Enough will be available today from Ellora’s Cave Publishing.

Blurb:

There comes a time when you’ve had enough and can’t take any more. For Christine Graham this time arrives as she is prepared to walk down the aisle. Not knowing what else to do, she runs.

Grayson Rothschild doesn’t know what went wrong, but he’s determined to make things right and get his bride back where she belongs, at his side. The answer lies in the hands of his best man, Jamie, and a shared night of hedonistic passion.

A hot tub, champagne, two men and one woman—bring them all together for one night of sexual indulgence, and you just might pave a path to happiness.

Contemporary/Menage

Restless, the sequel to Enough, will be available on January 9, 2008

*The following excerpt is intended for mature reading audiences over the age of 18. 

Excerpt:

The penthouse was heaven, pure and simple. Money sure was good for some things, like buying a pleasurable escape. Leaning back against the padded lip of the tub, she closed her eyes and let her mind wander, envisioning Gray.

The bubbles caressing her skin became his fingers. She could almost feel the sensual friction created by the slight drag of skin sliding over skin. Taste the salt and chlorine on heated flesh. Sense the subtle differences in textures playing over her tongue as soft feminine lips met firm masculine ones.

Jets positioned around the tub directed streams of water toward her from a multitude of different angles. The most delightful were the small holes spaced at even intervals on the bench a few inches from where the seat met the tub wall. When she spread her legs, placing her heels on the edge of the seat, those little jets shot a gentle pulse of water straight at the apex of her thighs.

The person who’d come up with the delightful design deserved to receive the Nobel Peace Prize, in her humble opinion. Heck, sit the powers-that-be in one of these tubs and they’d be so absorbed in sexual excess they wouldn’t even think of making anything but love. All wars and disputes would be settled once and for all. The idea created an interesting visual in her mind, but she wasn’t distracted for long.

She needed to come.

Letting her hand slide down her abdomen, Christine spread her labia and gasped at the glorious sensation created by the water caressing her swollen pussy lips. Rolling her
hips forward the slightest fraction of an inch, she felt the water stroke her clit with a constant, gratifying pressure, stimulating the small bud to pop out from under the shelter of its hood.

Clit popping! She giggled to herself. Gray teased her whenever she used the silly phrase, but she thought it was a good description for anything that got the bundle of nerves pulsing with gluttonous fervor.

Mmm…how very nice! The stream of water provided the most sublime stimulation. Damn, it was even better than the handheld showerhead she’d had Gray hook up in her apartment. She likened the sensation to a firm, wet tongue performing one long, constant glide over the supersensitive hot spot.

She imagined it was Gray’s tongue lapping at her ravenous bit of flesh and before long she was rocking her hips as the heated water stoked her desire. Her motions were subtle at first but increased as jolts of pure pleasure streaked through her body. With her free hand, Christine rolled a plump, erect nipple between her fingers, adding to her mounting sexual tension.

“Yes,” she moaned, relishing the fiery caresses causing her pussy to cream, clench and spasm. “Oh Gray!” She spread herself wider, increasing the flow of water against her pulsing clit. She was incredibly close to soaring away on a wave of orgasmic bliss when something made her pause.

What the fuck?

A low, muted sound alerted Christine to the stranger’s presence before she detected his silhouette stalking toward the tub with a slow, predatory swagger. Her now cold, limp hands dropped away from her body and she stared in shock, barely able to see the large man through the thick veil of steam.

“Wh-who’s there?”

Anxiety, accompanied by a tingle of excitement, tightened her chest and kicked up her heart rate. This was a private deck attached to the penthouse suite. How on earth had he gotten out here? And more important—how much had he seen?

The thought of him witnessing her self-pleasuring, while embarrassing, electrified her senses, giving Christine a thrill. There were many times she had fantasized about having sex in a public place and being watched. The fact that exhibitionism and voyeurism were considered forbidden and taboo by many made the concepts very appealing in her eyes.

Since she hadn’t turned on the lights in the tub, preferring to lick her wounds in the darkness, he shouldn’t be able to tell she was naked beneath the bubbling water. At least, she hoped he couldn’t. Otherwise, he was getting quite a peep show.

The stranger stopped directly across from where she sat and Christine gasped as his image solidified. He wore nothing more than a brief towel and a sexy, sinful grin.

Holy moly! There was the slim possibility he wore some tiny excuse for a swimsuit under there, but she was doubtful.

“The water looks wonderful. Mind if I join you?” His deep, titillating voice flowed over Christine like warm molasses, thick and slow.

Babies are fragile—NEVER SHAKE A BABY!

Normally, I wouldn’t use my blog for a public service type of message, but I have experience with, and very strong feelings about, Shaken Baby Syndrome. The possibility of this message preventing injury to even one child is too important not to take advantage of.

In addition to being an author, for the past twelve years I have worked in health care. Unfortunately, I have taken care of many shaken babies and seen the heartbreak firsthand. This weekend we had a particularly heartbreaking case and I wanted to share information here. 

SBS occurs to an estimated 1,200 to 1,400 children in the U.S. each year.

While only 1 out of 4 babies dies from SBS, the 3 who survive will require ongoing medical care for the rest of their lives.

SBS is child abuse involving violent shaking and possible head trauma from impact during the incident.

SBS can result in serious brain injury, seizures, mental retardation, paralysis, blindness, dislocated and broken bones, speech and learning difficulties, developmental delay, and a host of other problems.

Victims of SBS range in age from a few days to several months old; the average is six months of age.

More than 60% of the victims are male.

Almost 80% of the perpetrators of SBS are male.

• 50% are the natural parents
• 17% are non-relatives
• 17% are the mother’s boyfriend
• 6% are the step parents
• 10% other

An infant may spend 2 to 3 hours a day crying. 20% - 30% of infants will exceed that amount of time.

SBS usually happens when a caregiver becomes frustrated, angry and loses control, shaking the baby to stop him/her from crying.

Attempt to soothe a crying baby

• Meet basic needs such as feeding, burping, diaper change
• Take the baby for a walk in a stroller or a ride in the car seat
• Sing to the baby. Rock, walk or dance with the baby
• Offer comforts such as a pacifier, lower lights and play soft music.
• Run the vacuum or hair dryer

If nothing works and you become frustrated

• Call a doctor
• Call a friend, neighbor or relative to take over and give you a break
• Walk away! Make sure the baby is secure in a crib or playpen, lock the house or apartment and take a 10 or 15 minute walk

Many incidents of shaken baby are not reported resulting in a delay in seeking medical care. The sooner medical attention is provided, the higher chance serious complications and even death may be avoided.

Here are some symptoms which may indicate a baby has been shaken. Most often, multiple symptoms will be present.

• Unable to lift or turn head
• Pinpoint or dilated pupils. Unequal pupil size. Pupils unresponsive to light
• Blood pooling in eyes
• Swelling, bulging and/or spongy area on the head
• Not acting normal. Irritable. Lethargic. Decrease in smiling, vocalizing, eating, movement and/or responsiveness
• Either muscle rigidity or decreased muscle tone
• Difficulty breathing
• Seizures or spasms
• Vomiting
• Pale or bluish skin tone

Shaken Baby Syndrome is 100% preventable. Below is a list of links where you can find more information about this horrible and entirely too common form of child abuse.

The Shaken Baby Alliance

About Shaken Baby Syndrome

Shaken Baby Association

National Shaken Baby Coalition

Shaken Baby Prevention

The National Center on Shaken Baby Syndrome

Project Cope

Six warrior vampires. Lovers, fighters, brothers. Lethal, not evil, they’re coming for you.

Wrath: the last purebred vampire on the planet and the vampire race’s king. Essentially blind, he is the leader who is not willing to lead until he is forced to care for a half-breed he falls in love with.

Rhage (Hollywood): the strongest of the brothers and the best fighter. Cursed by the Scribe Virgin, he is possessed by a dark side which is a danger to everyone. Ultimately, though, he is gentled by a very special human woman.

Zsadist (Z): the most lethal of the brothers. A former blood slave who was mercilessly tortured during the first hundred years of his life, Z is the one who has fallen farthest from grace. But he is utterly worthy of redemption.

Phury: the loyal one, the one who sacrifices himself for others. Phury is Zsadist’s twin brother and a celibate who cannot truly live because of everything his biological brother has lost. Used to giving rather than receiving, he needs love coming back at him to bring him alive.

Vishous (V): the most intelligent and the one who is specially gifted. His curse is his ability to prognosticate: he sees the future, though not the ‘when’ of events so he is tortured by his inability to save those he loves from danger. His love puts him at odds with a secret about himself he did not know and could never have guessed.

Tohrment (Tohr): the steady one, the calm one. He is the one whose betrayal by fate will cut the deepest.

Butch: the first human ever to get close to the brotherhood. He’s always been on the outside looking in. He longs for a shy and proper female vampire, part of the aristocracy. When pulled into a dark prophecy, he will finally find the one place he belongs.

Nic’s Recommendation: 

The Black Dagger Brotherhood series was recommended to me by friends. When they kept discussing different aspects of the series, I finally broke down and began reading. Once I started, I was hooked to a degree I haven’t experienced in a very long time. Captivated to the point of closing myself off to everything else and being reluctant to set one of the books down before turning the last page. Work, family, writing—everything suffered while I devoured the series. The twists, turns and surprises are enthralling, as are the characters.

I love every one of the brothers, but so far the 3rd, Lover Awakened, has been my favorite. That’s Zsadist’s story, and I’ve always had a weakness for the dark, tortured hero. Z certainly fits that description well. Book 6 doesn’t come out until June ‘08, and the only way I’m going to survive that long is by rereading the other 5 stories. I am dying to get my hands on Phury’s story, and find out more about what’s going on with all of the others, especially Tohr and John.

I find myself at an unaccustomed loss, unable to adequately express how much I’ve enjoyed this series. I’ve sat on the edge of my seat flipping pages as fast as I can read, laughed, cried, even vacillated between wanting to wring one of the vamps necks and Ms. Ward’s for her evil treatment of my boys. (Yes, they all belong to me now - bwahahaha!) There were times I couldn’t breathe, my heart rate soaring as my chest tightened and I broke out in a sweat.

Rather than give away any spoilers, I’m going to shut up and tell you to run out, right now, and get every one of these books! Then race home, lock yourself away behind a sturdy door, unplug the phone and start reading. Don’t plan on stopping until you’ve read all 5 books because it’s just not possible! Trust me one this and plan ahead.

It’s Thursday—time to get naughty. Stop by the Hussies Blog and check out my latest topic of discussion, Going to Extremes.

Thirteen Joys of Thanksgiving

It’s almost Thanksgiving Day and hey, what’s not to love? It’s a great holiday, especially at my house. I pick Thanksgiving night as one of my holidays to work so I get to sleep while mom cooks all day. Yes, I’m spoiled.

1. The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade on T.V. I’ve experienced it in person and prefer watching from the comfort of home instead of lining up on the cold, hard sidewalk before dawn to get a good spot.

2. My mom’s fabulous home-cooked feast

3. Working an extra overnight shift at holiday pay rates (cha-ching)

4. Turkey and all the fixings without having to slave in a hot kitchen

5. Carving the beast (This job means I get to sample the turkey before anyone else)

6. Leftovers—turkey, stuffing and cranberry sandwiches. Yum!

7. No one invited over because I have to sleep (blessed peace & quiet)

8. No post-gorging football marathon and no family fights (see #7)

9. A second feast at work provided by the hospital (and it’s free)

10. Indulging in all the fabulous desserts I baked a few days earlier (delayed gratification)

11. Sleeping through the Black Friday insanity

12. Thanksgiving Day marks the beginning of a month long marathon of wonderful old Christmas movies and cartoons

13. Taking the time to remember all the great things I have to be thankful for

Enjoy the holiday and take the time to think of all the wonderful blessings in your life!

Links to other Thursday Thirteens!

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here! The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!
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