Welcome, welcome, welcome! I’m honored and tickled from my head down to my painted pink toes to play hostess to this very talented writer, who I now call my friend, Inara LaVey. Before we get started, may I offer anyone a cocktail? I have wine available too (see picture of Inara to the left). Now don’t be shy, you know what they say, “It’s Five O’ Clock somewhere!” Oh, and it’s Friday too! Even better.
For those of you that don’t know her, here’s a little background information:
Inara LaVey is the erotica-writing nom de plume of a San Francisco mystery writer and former B-movie actress who has lived many of the experiences she writes about in her sensuous fiction. She has traveled throughout Europe, and worked in the uncharted wilds of Hollywood as a screenwriter, a script doctor, an award-winning documentary producer, a stunt woman (her background is in theatrical sword-fighting), and actress in more than one cult classic. Her many friends know she can always be tempted by bad movies or good wine, preferably combined. When she is not hard at work writing or preparing for the coming zombie apocalypse, she can be found doting on her cats or sword fighting with her Irish lover.
Inara is currently working on a second novel for Ravenous Romance called, CHAMPAGNE, and here’s a sip of the bubbly:
Jeanette Wilson is an American girl on the trip of a lifetime to the wine regions of France. Unfortunately, she’s trapped with her soon-to-be-ex-boyfriend Darryl, a self-absorbed, self-aggrandizing, self-styled wine expert bent on swirling, sniffing, sipping, swishing, chewing, swallowing and occasionally spitting his way through the wineries of France. Between his endless lectures and insufferable putdowns, her insignificant other is quickly turning her dream vacation into a nightmare. But things change for Jeanette once they come to the zenith of their French road-trip, the Champagne house of Chateau Roux-Dubois….Soon Jeanette finds herself caught up in a ménage a trios with the Roux-Dubois, both intent on teaching her many things… Stay tuned for this exciting book coming to Ravenous Romance soon -
“Hello, fellow Ravenous Romance author. and blog tour hostess, Neve Black! Thank you so much for hosting me and the other ten of the Ornery Eleven Ravenous Romance authors here today! This is actually my third cyber book tour, but the first I’ve ever done with more than one other author. It’s been great except for Margery keeps stealing my chocolate and SOME of them snore on the bus between stops (you know who you are).” Inara LaVey.
Today’s blog tour question is:
Do you believe in happily ever after?
Inara LaVey: It depends on what one means by ‘happily ever after.’ If we’re talking about a person falling in love at a very young age with their ideal (at the time) mate and then living in romantic bliss for the rest of their lives…not so much. I’ve always been interested in the stories that talk about what happens a few years after Cinderella and Prince Charming get hitched and the pheromones have had a chance to settle down a little. Relationships take work no matter how powerful the attraction is between two people when love and lust first hit them. A lot of people can’t deal with the disillusionment that sets in when the glitter dust washes away, they’re not having sex every hour on the hour, and what they used to find so adorable about their partners starts to irritate them instead.
That being said, I do believe people - and couples– have the potential to be happy together if they accept the fact there will be arguments and they resolve to work on their communication skills. It used to drive me crazy when I read romance novels back in the ’80s and the hero and heroine would spend most of the book arguing. I’d think ‘well, one decent conversation would solve all their problems!’ But I guess it would have made for some very short books. A lot of it’s attitude and appreciating what you’ve got without always wanting something or someone else. The grass is always greener syndrome. And then again, people change, sometimes creating irreconcilable differences. I DO believe in Happily for Now, which, as a character in my book RIPPING THE BODICE says, is all we can really ask for.
Neve Black: Well, my idealistic and romantic side does, but life and love is a lot work. Sometimes characters, like people aren’t cut out for the long haul.
Jamaica Layne: Absolutely! You can’t write romance/erotic romance if you don’t!
Savannah Chase: Yes I do. I think we all have a happily ever after. Some of us find that person who gives us just that and others sometimes don’t. I’m a hopeless romantic and I believe we all have a soul mate out there.
Lisa Lane: Nothing is “ever after.” Happiness and despair are both inevitable, and they take varying turns throughout the various chapters in our lives. Although all books must end, those endings are merely the beginnings of the rest of their characters’ lives….
Elle Amery: As a divorced, single woman who’s quite content not being in a relationship, I still believe in the happily ever after. All I have to do is watch my happily-married parents, the happily-married parents of my friends, and my happily-married friends (straight or gay) and know that happily ever after indeed exists. It exists. It absolutely exists.
Sèphera Girón: I’m not sure I believe in it for real people but it’s nice to try.
Isabel Roman: Yes. Who wants to walk away from a book all annoyed and screaming at the cover?
Angela Cameron: I do, with the right person. Happiness is something that many people don’t understand. It’s not about perfection, but contentment. Things may be horribly wrong in life, but with the right partner, that sharp edge is missing. We can live in the harbor of that one person and survive life’s adventures.
C. Margery Kempe: No. Life is complicated and always changing. There are no guarantees and it takes work to maintain relationships of all kinds, not just lovers. It’s human nature to be lazy and fall into habits, so unhappy endings are far more likely.
EM Lynley: love the idea that it’s possible, though I have to admit that I haven’t seen as many examples in real life as I’d like. With love as in most things, our expectations sometimes make us think we want something different from what we really want and we only discover it too late. In my writing, though, I definitely subscribe to happily ever after every time!
Finally, here’s a sexy excerpt of Inara’s first novel with Ravenous Romance, Ripping the Bodice -
If Connor hadn’t been laughing so hard, he would have paid more attention to the way Cassandra’s eyes narrowed. As it was he was totally taken by surprise when Cassandra grabbed one of the huge bath sheets off the rack by the tub and wrapped it around herself as she rose out of the tub. A few random chuckles still escaped him when she carefully and deliberately stepped out onto the bathmat, head cocked to one side as she stared at him with a sudden and eerie calm. She smiled and took a step forward. The smile that should have tipped Connor off. It was the kind of smile he’d seen on people right before they landed the first punch in a pub brawl. As it was, he was still chuckling as she landed a sharp, efficient kick on his shin before he even registered the movement.“Jaysus! Why the hell did ya do that?”“I told you to leave.” She kicked him again.“Ow!” Amazing how much a bare foot could hurt.
Even still, Connor couldn’t resist what came out next. “I must say, Cassandra, this is a side of you I haven’t seen yet. Shades of Sweet, Simple Savage.” Connor dodged the next kick and retreated from the bathroom, but the next one nailed him square in the shin. He stumbled over the doorjamb and his own feet with unaccustomed clumsiness, sprawling on the plush carpet. Cassandra pursued him, a sudsy, towel-clad fury. Connor couldn’t help it; he started laughing again as the ridiculousness of the situation hit him. He regretted his poor impulse control almost immediately. Cassandra landed a well-aimed kick to his inner right thigh, uncomfortably close to his — how would her books put it? – his manly staff. Ah now, and there went the laughter again…
“Now, Cassandra, can’t we discuss this like civilized people?” Connor wriggled away from Cassandra’s avenging foot, trying unsuccessfully to stop laughing.
“I’m not a civilized person, Connor. I’m sweet–” Kick “—simple—” Kick “—savage!”
Luckily for Connor, his attacker was hampered from using her full strength by the necessity of keeping the bath sheet wrapped round her body. Still, when her last kick came arcing towards his head, he decided enough was enough and blocked the incoming foot. Cassandra made the strategic error of trying to kick with her other foot, losing her balance as a result. She fell on top of Connor, landing on him with a thud that knocked the wind out of him. It didn’t stop Cassandra. Clutching the towel to her with one hand, she mercilessly went after him with the other, hitting him on his chest, arms and shoulders with more enthusiasm than affect.
Connor didn’t wait for one of Cassandra’s punches to do any damage. Grabbing the attacking hand, he rolled over on top of her and pinned her wrist to the floor next to her head. “I am going to kill you!” Cassandra kicked furiously, but Connor easily trapped her legs under his. The bottom edge of the towel tangled between their legs; only Cassandra’s death grip on the top kept it from being dragged off of her entirely. One surprisingly full breast was nearly uncovered, only the tip of the nipple still under the edge of the towel. Both long legs were fully exposed, as was a good swatch of her stomach and right hip. The cloth still covered the cleft between her legs, but her modesty was in definite danger of being totally compromised if there was much more movement from either of them.Connor became aware of this at the same time he registered just how good Cassandra’s damp, scented body felt as she wriggled underneath him. This dual awareness trigged another involuntary response, this one physiological and, under the circumstances, about as poorly timed as…as…Connor’s brain failed to supply a decent simile, all of the blood having rushed elsewhere. The timing was shite, that’s all there was to it. He needed to extricate himself before Cassandra became aware of his rapidly growing erection. And yet…all of his more primal instincts told him to stay exactly where he was. “Let me up!” Cassandra bucked her hips, trying to throw him off her. This only served to expose a few more inches of her skin and make him even harder. Connor tried his best to ignore the imperative throbbing of his cock and handle things rationally. “Are ya going to hit me again if I do?”
Cassandra growled, not quite snapping her teeth, but close enough to tell Connor he’d risk losing a limb if he let go of her right then. Besides…he didn’t want to. His attention focused on her mouth. Her lips were naturally blush colored, delightfully – and naturally – full and lush. He fought the overwhelming temptation to taste them.
This was not what he’d expected when he volunteered to come fetch the errant Ms. Devon. Connor had had his fair share of lovers, but he couldn’t remember the last time a woman’s body had just felt so right beneath his. He had a regular conundrum here; if he got up, Cassandra would see his erection. She’d have to unless she was blind. If he stayed there…well, as it was, it was hard (no pun intended) to believe she wasn’t aware of the effect she was having on his body, but the only thing he saw in her furious green eyes was…well…fury. Obviously some calming words were needed.“You need to be calming down now.”Right. That was original.
“I’ll calm down when you. Let. Me. Up!” A determined yank freed the hand he’d pinned and she thwacked him on the chin before he could stop her.
The blow did little more than sting, but it was enough to tip Connor’s control over the edge. Giving a low growl, he gave into temptation and covered her mouth with his.
Primal instincts, one. Common sense, zero.
* * *
When Connor kissed me, I gave an outraged squeal — which was immediately smothered by his lips — and tried to push him away with the hand still holding onto my towel, now trapped between our bodies. He didn’t budge other than to deepen the intensity of the kiss, which had already taken me completely by surprise. His lips were warm against mine, agile and sensual.
He didn’t attack with his tongue, like some men I’d dated. You know, jamming it down the throat as if distance down the esophagus equaled passion. Nor did he employ the lizard method. Flick, flick, flick in the mouth, with less genuine passion than an iguana would use when mating. No, Connor was as agile with his lips, teeth and tongue as he was with words, and as clever. But definitely not as irritating. No, not irritating at all.
I mean, yes, I wanted to kill him. But the heat of battle was rapidly transmuting into a different kind of heat in my stomach and groin and I found myself pressing my body against his with an insistence that matched that of his…of his…
Oh. My. God.
I doubt Connor had a gun in his pocket, so that meant he was just happy to see me. I mean, REALLY happy. Impressively happy. All men should be so happy.
I froze beneath him, withdrew my tongue from Connor’s mouth where it had been happily playing with his, and tried not to move a muscle. I was hyper aware of the pulsing between my legs. I was warm and wet and it wasn’t from the bath. I had to stifle the urge to arch myself against Connor’s erection, to tear away the towel covering my loins and the jeans covering his penis, and feel him thrust inside me.
Then I’d kill him.
“Remember to leave a comment; it automatically enters you to win a print or electronic copy of Ripping the Bodice, your choice! We’ll also be giving away three $5.00 gift certificates for Ravenous Romance on three random stops. You won’t know which ones until the tour is over, so visit as many as you can! And if you leave a comment on every stop in the Ravenou Romance Ornery Eleven BBT, you’re eligible to win a $25 gift certificate from Ravenous Romance!
Thanks so much for stopping by and thank you, Neve, for hosting us! Please visit Night Owl Romance tomorrow, May 2nd, for our final stop and announcement of who wins the grand prize of a $25 gift certificate to Ravenous Romance! ” Inara.
Cheers
Neve Black
Wow, what an awesome excerpt!
Love the question…I think we all believe in happily ever after - weren’t we all raised that way? It’s just a matter of whether we’ve found the “happily for now” and lost it.
Lady Stone!
Thank you for stopping and commenting. Your point is well taken. Yes, I do think we hope for happily ever after. Hell, I know I try and achieve that everyday; one orgasm at a time. :-0
Come back if you can. I’d love for you to weigh in on the conversation once it’s starts rolling.
Loved the excerpt!! I think my book budget took a major hit on your tour, but it keeps me off the streets and out of trouble. HEA is a concept I enjoy in my romances, but don’t actually require. If the story is good, and the ending fits, it doesn’t HAVE to be HEA as long as it satisfies my sense of completion. In real life? I’m twice divorced, and always willing to experience life, still looking for that special someone but content in the meantime to spend time with friends and family. And family includes my books, because they’ve been there for me sometimes when no one else has.
Nancy G aka joshgranny
Nancy,
I’m laughing here at your book budget comment. We certainly appreciate your avid romance reading support! Off the streets and out of trouble? Oh no! We simply have to find you some fun trouble to get into to. haha.
Good for you for not giving up on love and romance in your personal life. Relationships can be difficult, but rewarding at the same time. I love that you include your books as part of your family. That’s so cool and so nicely stated. Goose pimples! I have goose pimples!
Thank you so much for all your wonderful comments and support of this tour. You rock, Joshgranny!
[...] - Neve Black 04/29 - Bryn Greenwood - C. Margery Kempe 04/30 - Bookwenches - Savannah Chase 05/01 - Neve Black - Inara LaVey 05/02 - Night Owl Romance - Final Stop [...]
[...] Lavey, Ripping the Bodice, promotion The one and only Inara Lavey laps up your acclaim over at the penultimate stop on the Ornery 11 blog tour. We’re hosted by the hoot-a-licious Never Black, writer and bon vivant. Join us for the usual [...]
I loved the excerpt. I enjoyed reading everyones thoughts on believing in happily ever after. I believe the is a happily ever after in real life besides in stories. I enjoy reading books that have the happily ever after endings. I also believe that you can make you life a happily ever after too.
Hello Neve! Thanks for hosting us all today. I’ll take a bellini if you’ve got one — I have to go give a final exam in a bit, so I suspect a martini won’t fill the students with confidence, lOL.
I think my rather cynical answer above had a lot to do with the painful separation I’m dealing with at present. But I should say I value and treasure love when I find it and do my best to nurture it. I think the bad thing about HEA and the current madness about weddings as “the most important day of your life!” do a great disservice to the difficulty of maintaining a relationship after that day. We really don’t teach those skills anywhere.
But after all, it’s the chase that thrills and why people read our books. It’s hard to maintain the fun without the tension of “will they get together?” hanging in the air. Unless you’re Nick and Nora — hmmm, maybe I need to write my own Nick and Nora.
Hi Becky!
Great to have you here. First things first, what can I get you from the bar? I know it’s early, but heck it’s a party and it’s Friday!
Wow! I like your positive outlook on life. That’s awesome! I’m curious to learn your secret. Why do you think you like reading books that have HEA endings over books that don’t?
Good Morning Margery!
Neve hands her a delicious, belini…Margery takes the first sip and she’s suddenly swept away to the Grand Canal in Venice, Italy. Oooh, la, la.
I’m sorry about your personal situation and your reflection. I’ve said so many times, I think relationships are challenging. I like your comment about weddings. HEA doesn’t have to based in a fairy tale to be happy. To your point, I think when some young brides walk down the aisle, they think life going forward will be nothing but beds of roses. Roses have thorns. You have to get stuck by a thorn now and then so you can really appreciate the beauty of the rose. Sometimes the roses just don’t work in the garden no matter how hard you try. I was married once…a really long time ago and I remember saying, “geez, this is nothing like marriage on television.” Nuff said. There is no relationship 101 class, it’s called on the job training. Oh boy, who asked Neve-Plato to the party? haha.
One of our readers, Becky said here today that she likes reading stories with HEA endings and her real life is HEA too. I’ve asked if she’ll come back and further comment on what she likes most about those types of endings and what her secret is at home. We all want to know about that!
Oh, and re: “It’s been great except for Margery keeps stealing my chocolate…”
I wasn’t stealing it, just borrowing…
Great excerpt!
I should qualify my happily ever after cynicism! My parents have been happily married for fifty three years. I don’t think I’ve ever seen them fight! Talk about incredibly compatible.
I, on the other hand, am on my second marriage. The first to a Scottish/English man, the second to an Irish/Canadian man. I’m half Spanish, so there’s battle of the wills for sure. I’m hoping for happily ever after with my second husband. It’s going well so far, one year on may 10!
When I was young and raised on Disney movies, I totally believed in happily ever after. Then I grew up!
In books, I prefer the happy for now endings, when there’s an upbeat ending, since that’s realistic.
One day at a time and don’t sweat the small stuff.
May I say what an intro and fantastic post..Thank you for hosting our next stop here….The excerpt is so good…It makes you want to read more. I love it….
Haha! Margery. Borrowing chocolate? I don’t think so.
Morning, all! I have not yet had my mocha, but think it will mix VERY nicely with a champagne cocktail! Neve and I started a bit early (or was it late?) last night and she WOULD take that picture of me…
Be back in a sec - off to procur coffee and then re-read this post and all the comments! It’s so nice to see new and familiar faces here this morning!
Sephera,
Welcome. I love your candor. Thanks for sharing. Hey, I think nearly 10 years with someone, married or not constitutes as HEA! Good for you!
I’m chuckling over your comment about Disney movies here. Isn’t that the truth? I think that’s why I enjoy non-traditional films as an adult: they’re much more realistic and parallel life’s goods and bads.
Amen. Don’t sweat the small stuff.
Oh, before coffee, I wanted to thank Neve for taking such good care of me as a host! We’ve had some awesome hostesses on this tour and I feel very lucky to have ended up with the amazing and talented Ms. Black…and right above such an intriguing picture too!
Hi Savannah!
Good morning! Yes, our little leader, Dan/Inara is quite the writer. I love both her excerpts: Ripping the Bodice and her new up and coming book, Champagne. Speaking of, may I offer you a cool or hot beverage?
Thanks for stopping!
Inara!
Sleepy head. Where are you going? I have all kinds of yum, yum, yummy things to add to your coffee, baby.
I think I’m going to start calling you ID - Inara/Dana.
Okay, I did start last night. I was drinking some jammy, bold red into the wee hours of the a.m. That’s okay, hair of the dog, right? Pours more Baileys into her third cup of coffee haha.
It is great having so many fun and interesting people over today. I love it!
I admit that I do because Susan and I do work at it; on a daily basis. I think it was Andrew Greeley who wrote that in real life “happily ever after” usually means no more than two or three fights a week. Flippant but fairly accurate. Of course nothing lasts forever, because the vows read :”until death do us part”. Two personalities attempting to live as one WILL bump heads, and fur will fly. The trick is to stick together through it all. And that usually involves giving up one’s desires in favor of those of the other. And it has to be mutual. Otherwise you have nothing more than another kind of slavery.
Great excerpt Dana/Inara. Love the humor. Obviously our heroine will come out on top. LOL.
Heh. ID. I like that. It works on several different levels, doncha think? It’s my I.D. and reflects my id! HAHAHAHAH!!!
Ooh, Baileys in my mocha, please! Now to read the comments again and make intelligent responses. I needs my morning jolt of java before I can even pretend to be thoughtful and intellegent. I CAN thank you all for your nice comments and the support! Don’t need coffe for that!
And Margery…if you BORROWED my chocolate, why didn’t I get it back? er…perhaps we don’t want to answer that.
Hey everyone!
Even though we celebrated our 26th anniversary yesterday, I’m not a believer in *idealized* or stereotypical HEA. But I’m not a cynic either. I believe love and happiness go far in making people better individuals and the world a better place. However, few of us have ever been in love only once. I’d like to think that every time we *love* it’s good for our souls and for humanity as a whole.
Yeah, that’s an ideal. But it’s based on my love for my fellow man rather than Cinderella. And honestly? I think I admire someone who still has the capacity for love and desire for it, no matter what heartbreak brings more than someone for finds HEA right out the gate.
And Inara? Doting on cats and sword-fighting with your lover? ~Swoon~ I think I’ve just fallen in love with you! LOL!
Good Morning Jack!
Thank you for weighing in here with comments. Interesting topic, isn’t?
“…fur will fly….” I love that as much as, “he/she rubs my fur the wrong way….” haha.
I think if both people have the same goal to stick through it, then you have the makings for a beautiful relationship and a happy ending, perhaps? Oh yes, relationships are all about compromising, aren’t they?
Where are my manners? What are you drinking this morning, Jack?
I love JM Stone’s comment about finding and then losing Happily for Now. It really backs up the fact that no matter how passionately in love with someone you might be, there are always periods where the bloom is off the rose (or whatever cliche you wanna use here) and it can be a real shocker the first time you look at your love and your heart doesn’t race with excitement. Nice thing is, with the aforementioned work, it will still happen.
I was SUCH a romantic when I was young. It’s why I dated swordfighters. I didn’t want the knight in shining armor, mind you (I had too much fun handling my OWN fights, at least those with swords), but I loved the romance of it all…
ID,
“Where’s your ID, Miss?” The police officer asks.
“Um, excuse me officer, but which one? I have two.” Dana replys giggling.
Nancy, I’ve been divorced one and a half times. I truly thought hte second marriage was it and, point of fact, I still adore the man. But there were aspects of the relationship that were very unhealthy for both of us, so I left. My boyfriend (whom you’ve all ‘met’ online) is the most wonderful, supportive, sexy guy on the planet and we still have our ‘meh’ periods. But we talk things out and the desire to stay together is there. I guess I just believe in more than ONE true love! I love what you said about your books being part of your family - so very true!
Becky, with a positive attitude like yours, I’ve no doubt you will have your happily ever after! You’ve been a pleasure to have a long on this tour!
Hi Debra,
First of, a big CONGRATULATIONS on celebrating your 26th wedding anniversary! You must be doing something right.
I like that you said love is good for our souls. That truly resonates with me.
Thank you for stopping and commenting, Debra!
Margery (you adorable chocolate thief, you!), I totally agree with what you said about weddings. My first wedding was a big deal (albeit done cheaply). The dress, bridesmaids, the whole thing. My second…we got married at SF’s City Hall while on trip up here, dressed in sweats after a session of sword-fighting in the Presidio. Drove hell bent for leather in bad rain to get there before City Hall closed after finding out it would cost $250 on Saturday as opposed to $25 on Friday. Marriage lasted a good long while, whereas the first one lasted a year and a half. Maturity has something to do with that (or lack thereof in the first marriage), but the wedding ceremonies sure didn’t! You know you have my empathy for what you’re going through..and heck, my chocolate too!
LOL, Neve! “which one, officer? I have two!” Just saw that… hee heee… And I like Neve/Plato. NP. Heh. Anyway, I agree with your rose/thorn analogy and the fact SO many young brides have totally unrealistic expectations based on that fairytale walk down the aisle.
Seph, it’s wonderful to read about your parents. I don’t think anything touches me more than when I see an older couple holding hands, their eyes still shining with that light of love for each other. It’s moments like those rather than the Disney endings we grew up on that make me believe in the lasting power of true love.
Savannah, thank you for making it over! I thought after your long day yesterday, we might have to wake you up in the back of the bus.
Thank you for the compliment! Savannah had a lot of wonderful things to say about the quality of the support we’ve been getting on this tour and I so agree with her.
Jack, you rascal! I’m so happy to see you here! “The trick is to stick together through it all. And that usually involves giving up one’s desires in favor of those of the other. And it has to be mutual. Otherwise you have nothing more than another kind of slavery.” Nicely said, my friend. I couldn’t agree more.
Debra, congrats on your 26th Anniversary! That makes my heart warm! And I love what you said about love being good for the soul and for humanity in general. I am flattered that you might love me a little!
Hi all!
Neve, thanks again for hosting - I can’t imagine why I love your blog so much; I guess I just do…(all your photos help).
Great excerpt, mo Mhuirnín; though I can’t wait for everyone to get treated to excerpts from her upcoming WIP, Champagne. I love, Love, LOVE the short story it’s based on!
As usual, I loved hearing all your comments - good question, too!- Angela, I think your answer resonated the most with me. Nancy G., I adored you saying that your books are part of the family - I never thought of it that way but so true! Debra, congrats on a quarter century of marital bliss! As they say, Weddings are an event but marriage is an achievement!
Is the tour really wrapping up soon? I’ve had such a blast talking with you and getting to know you all - what a charming, fun, thoughtful and sexy-as-hell bunch you all are!
Big kiss and pass the Bailey’s - MmmWuuugh! The tour ends but WE’LL live happily ever after!
xoxoxo
-D
Hello, all,
Neve - after battling with my computer all morning, I’m just now getting to work. Thinking a mimosa would be good - sweet enough to not knock me out for the rest of the day
Thank you for hosting us - I’m glad to be here today.
Inara, you know how much I loved Ripping the Bodice. I believe that the one “hook” for me when I read is whether I relate to the heroine or not. Oh dear, I certainly relate to Cassandra - especially with how she drifts into fantasyland at the drop of a hat. And her obsession for “bodice rippers.” And her lust for hunky Conner. Oh my . . . folks, you gotta read this one - it’s a keeper!
BTW, Dana’s not kidding about the swordfighting. We met through swordfighting, and we still fence in Golden Gate Park and in the street in front of our house. The neighbors love it.
-D
Great question, and I loved Ripping the Bodice, you may make a romance fan of me yet.
Thank you, Neve. I’ll take whatever’s available. I’m not overly picky. Dana/Inara, you’re very easy to love. You have a huge heart and a fabulous sense of humor. (Dave knows how lucky he is, trust me.) Yes, it is hard at times to give until you think there’s no more. But another trick is to keep digging still…and you can be surprised at what you still have to give. (We’re working on our 33rd year together, btw.)LOL.
I do believe our hostess is on her break - several people have left comments that are now in moderation, so if you are one of those folks, she will be back! And I’ll be hanging out here waiting to talk to you.
Jack, you are a doll! A ZOMBIE loving doll, which is the best kind!
What wonderful stories of long-term love! You all are proof that it can be done with patience and tolerance and a lot of love. But you’re right — it has to be on the part of both partners. Being alone in a relationship is a painful thing.
ID — the returning of the chocolate borrowed is a complicated process of advanced physics (and a little alchemy). Still refining the process.
Neve — I need a vibrant red for the student presentations in the next class!
Now let’s see if it lets me make a comment this time. I was put back in moderation! Waahh!! Neve, let me out! I promise I’ll be good! Or at least entertaining!
Margery, I’ll get back to you on the borrowed chocolate issue…
Yay! I’m back! Oooh, let’s find some red wine. I brought some along, if Neve and I didn’t finish it last night. Hmmm, yup, here’s a bottle of Wulftrap, a South African blend of mourvedre, syrah and viognier. It is YUMMY. Smoky, rich, fruity and definitely vibrant!
Interestingly enough, one of my comments is still in moderation - my last reply to Jack. Hmmm… maybe my multiple IDs have confused Neve’s computer! Heh.
Wulftrap? Splendid name for something which I’m sure many wolves might thimk the perfect means to trap their prey. Obviusly there are no wolves at your dorr, D/I. ;)LOL.
Nope, Jack, just cats!
Cattrap. Heh. It would have to be a Sauvignan Blanc because of the astringent, almost cat pee odor it can have… The Aussies are very proud of their cat-pee/eucalyptus nosed wines!
That poor phone. I’ve heard of cats peeing on furniture, clothing, shoes etc., but this is a first. At least you could switch phones easily enough. One of our new babies peed on our bed. Twice. Hasn’t happened since though. LOL.
Wow there are already over 40 comments and it’s only 2 o’clock in the afternoon here in NYC. I love today’s questions of the day and everyone’s answer was great to read. Inara/Dana I absolutely loved the excerpt and I really can’t wait to get a copy of Ripping the Bodice to read and review. I was late to the last two stops but I made sure that I came and left a comment as early as I could today.
Oh, Jack…our little darlings have marked territory on very strange things. The phone is definitely the oddest.
I”m pretty sure it’s Foster, my oversized boy with the crossed blue eyes.
Definitely some comments trapped in moderation limbo - I can’t wait to see them! Come back, Neve!!!
Inara/Dana, as you know I love Ripping the Bodice and I can’t wait for Champagne. You have such a deft touch with humor, and there’s nothing like a little laughter to spice up one’s sensuality. It’s been a great tour and every stop has been fun.