Yeah, I’m pretty much bouncing out of my seat. Book birthdays are fantastic, but sometimes they are more fantastic-er than other times. I feel that way about A Dance With Seduction.

Maximilian, the hero, is different from most. Oh, he has his alpha moments, but he’s a bit more beta and way more grouchy. Yet he sees so much, as he’s quite a bit more vulnerable than he lets on.

And then there’s Vivienne. She just stole my heart. I could also hear her voice in my head as I wrote. Every turn of phrase was already created without me having to do anything. Vivienne just was.

Even better, there love just is, no matter what is going on around them.

And so, without further messing about, a little excerpt for you. Enjoy!

“I do not pretend to be anything more than I am.”

Pausing, listening to the meaning behind her words, he held her gaze. “I know you are a man’s mistress, Flower, but never forget you are more than that.”

“Are you sure?” Deep words to match her unfathomable eyes.

“You are a lady of many layers, and every one of them is lovely.” Maximilian meant every word and more than he said.

“If I were a lady, I would not be a spy, would I?” Her lips were still bowed up as she straightened, but he saw the dark pain in her gaze. “You are sweet, monsieur, to call me a lady.”

She leaned down to look at the document, then turned her head to face him. Her mouth was there. Just there. Lips parted as though she planned to ask a question, though she didn’t. She only looked at him, eyes slowly becoming serious and powerful. They were a beautiful shade, dark brown deepening to black in the center. Her lashes swept down to cover those eyes as her gaze fell to his mouth for a moment, before flicking back up.

Suddenly he could not think beyond her lips. Beyond her face and the fresh scent enveloping him.

He leaned forward, desperate for a taste, afraid she would bolt, afraid she would not.

And kissed her.

Amazon:         http://amzn.to/2sK8cXn

B&N:              http://bit.ly/2tepqQb

iBooks:            http://apple.co/2sDjJgj

Kobo:              http://bit.ly/2sDjOk7

Do your hero and heroine engage in fun or sexy banter? Looking to enter a contest? Look no further! The Mid-Michigan RWA Chapter is hosting the Best Banter contest! The deadline to enter is August 1, but don’t wait too long to submit your 5 pages. (Yes, it’s really just 5 pages. How easy can that be?)

Just click on the pic, my friends!

I’m not big into holiday traditions, particularly. We have a few–a special Christmas Tree Adventure when we cut down our tree with friends, Christmas morning pancakes. But there is one tradition we do every year. Sometimes with friends, sometimes just as a family.

Pumpkin Stuffed With Everything Good

Seriously. This is a fall tradition, and we usually invite a house full of friends and make two or three pumpkins.

I first heard about this on an NPR story back in 2010. (Link to the original program here. It’s fantastic!) We made it a couple of days later, and we’ve made it every year since. The fun part is hollowing out the pumpkin!

First, cut off the tops.

Naturally, make sure you know how to put them back on again.

Oh, my Biscuit was a cutie back in 2010.

BACON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

All the goodies…

I modified a few things (more bacon, no nutmeg).

But I don’t play around with the recipe otherwise. You could add all sorts of things in there–different meats or spices, dried fruits or nuts. Maybe some sweet foodstuffs–but we like it just the way it is. And, as it’s a once a year fall tradition, we like to keep it the same each year.

I over stuffed this year…

You can follow the original recipe by Dorie Greenspan (who is amazing), or you can follow my modified version. But if you ever get a hankering, shove that thing full of crusty bread, Gruyere cheese, chives, a titch of salt-n-pepper, and minced garlic, then pour in about a 1/2 cup of heavy cream.

Make sure you salt and pepper the inside of the pumpkin before stuffing.

Bake it for about an hour and a half at 350, until a knife slides all the way through the pumpkin skin.

 Don’t put in too much cream, or it bubbles out and burns.

Do put down tin foil, in case you put in too much cream.

(Not that I’ve EVER done that.)

No, it’s not good for you. Yes, it’s delicious.

That’s why we only do it once a year!