This Tuesday At The Tiki Hut - Kimber Chin

This Tuesday's special guest at the Tiki Hut is Kimber Chin. Kimber writes sexy contemporary romances set in the business world. A business gal herself, she is tired of seeing business folks described as emotionless bores, especially as many of the people she works with are one step away from the looney bin. It takes a special type of crazy to spend days in a 100 square feet cubicle.

This cynical gal had her world tilted when she fell in love at first sight. 15 gloriously happy years later, she cautions single women that slick talking salesmen will do anything to keep their favorite customers satisfied.

Every week, Kimber Chin posts a short story and a photo of a man in a great looking suit on her website and every month, she gives away her favorite eBook read the previous month.


And since we have a holiday weekend coming up, Kimber is going to share a special romantic short story for us! Welcome to the Tiki Hut, Kimber!


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Thanks so much DeNita! I enjoyed writing the Halloween short so much,I thought I'd share a Thanksgiving one,an exclusive for Author Island readers...


LURED BY PUMPKIN PIE by Kimber Chin


It was a big pie.


And there was only one of her. Undecided, Elena stood in front of the display.


“Could I buy a slice?” she tried.


“No, Madame.” The dark eyed clerk shook his head. “It is a wonderful pie, too exquisite to hack into pieces.” He made jerky chopping motions with his hand.


It was a wonderful pie. The pumpkin filling browned oh-so-lightly. A few flakes of the pastry dotted the doily, a testament to its lightness. It would taste… her mouth watered at the thought.


But it was a big pie.


On the other hand, today WAS Thanksgiving. At least in the States. She always had pumpkin pie for Thanksgiving. And she didn’t have to eat it all.


But to waste such a pie. That was surely a sin.


“Salute Marcel,” a deep voice rumbled from behind her. “Oh, good, there’s one left. I’ll take the pumpkin.”


The pumpkin? Her pumpkin? The clerk slid the wire rack out. “Wait.” She stopped him.


“Madame? You wish the pie?”


“Mademoiselle,” she corrected. Why? She didn’t know. “I…” She did want the pie, at least a taste but it was so big and this man, he… She should give it up.


But only if he was worthy of such a pie. She turned. To judge him. Big feet in black dress shoes. Long legs in black dress pants. A thin torso. Too thin. She frowned. Wide shoulders in a suit jacket. Firm lips pressed together, twitching. Her head tilted back more. Laughter lines etched out from brown sparkling eyes. Her toes curled.


Yes, he was most certainly worthy.


“Mademoiselle? You wish the pie?” the clerk repeated.


The handsome stranger tilted his head, repeating the question silently.


“I do wish the pie but,” she sighed, smelling the cinnamon, ginger, and cloves, “Monsieur may have it.”


“No, no,” the man protested. “You were here first. It is yours.”


She WAS there first but “I can’t eat all that. All I wanted was a slice.”


“Then that is decided.” Feeling the loss, Elena didn’t appreciate his cheerfulness. “Marcel, wrap it up.” He approached the counter, pulling bills from his wallet.


Elena stepped towards the door.


“Wait, Mademoiselle.” A big arm wrapped around her shoulders. “You can not go before you get your slice.”


“Monsieur Largent, you wish me to slice?” The clerk’s bottom lip communicated his disapproval.


“I wish Mademoiselle to slice. Tonight. At my parents’ table.”


“I couldn’t.” It was tempting. To taste the pie. To not be alone on Thanksgiving. “I don’t know you.”


“Marcel knows me.”


A dark head bobbed. “Monsieur Largent is the finest of men. He buys many pies.”


“Thank you, Marcel.” The man laughed. “For vouching for my pie buying abilities. I’m sure Mademoiselle…”


“Elena,” she supplied.


“Elena,” he made it sound even more musical, “is suitably impressed. She will not be able to resist me, my offer, or especially the pumpkin pie. What say you, Elena? Yes?”


It was insane. She didn’t know him. He could be lying. He could have no parents. He could…He opened the box, and the wave of spices hit her.


“Yes.”

$

For more Kimber Chin short stories, contests, and men in suits photos, visit her site http://businessromance.com/ .

This Tuesday at The Tiki Hut - Marion Webb-DeSisto

This week's special guest is Marion Webb-De Sisto who is currently celebrating her brand new release - CRYSTAL COMPANIONS: The Use of the Mineral Kingdom within Modern-day Metaphysics. This new book is a must-have handbook for anyone fascinated by crystals and New Age practices.

An innovative look at how crystals and crystal skulls are being incorporated into various modern-day metaphysical pursuits by the author and other practitioners in order to improve their performance. The effect crystalline energy has on therapies, spiritual pursuits and divination techniques is highlighted in this book, together with brief outlines on the histories of these various practices. Such disciplines as Past Life Regression, Reiki, Yoga, Shamanism and Crystal Therapy are documented and discussed in detail. Divination strategies of the Tarot, the Runes, Scrying and Dowsing are also combined with the properties of the mineral kingdom, and the resulting outcomes are explored. In addition, helpful exercises, recommendations and crystal ‘know-how’ are included for both the professional and the novice. The author is a qualified Crystal Healing practitioner and her examination of various crystal-enhanced procedures is a valuable handbook for anyone interested in discovering the powerful crystalline world and its impact on healing, spirituality and divination.

Buy the Book

Read the Excerpt

Apart from a print copy of CRYSTAL COMPANIONS being on offer in the Book of the Day contest today over on AuthorIsland.com, one lucky person can win an Adobe PDF version of it just by blogging their comments here at the Hut to Marion. She'll draw that winning name at the end of the day.

Welcome to the Tiki Hut, Marion!

Thank you, DeNita, for inviting me into the Hut today. It's really good to feel those tropical sunbeams warming me. It's really chilly and blustery here in the UK right now.

I'm very excited about my new book. I love sharing information on the mineral kingdom and how it can help us achieve a more positive way of looking at life. My home is filled with crystals and crystal skulls and I'm fortunate enough to have a husband who loves these beautiful Earth-gifts as much as I do.

Telling people about the crystalline world is a 'must' for me and it appears to be a welcome read for others. I gave the title Crystal Companions to my latest book because it examines in detail how crystals and crystal skulls can be used to enhance whatever we are doing. The mineral kingdom works as a helping friend that aids us with many different things. The book looks at various interests and not just healing, which is usually associated with crystals. If you practice Yoga, are fascinated by the Tarot and Runes, or would like to Space Clear your home, then I believe my book will grab your attention. Are you curious about Past Life Regression? Well, that's in there, too.

At the end of each chapter there’s an exercise for the reader to try, and as a little 'taster' the following is the exercise from the chapter about Pendulums & Dowsing. Do have a go even if you've never used a pendulum before, and I would love to read any feedback, or answer any questions, that you might have.

Thanks again, DeNita, and have fun with the exercise everyone!

A Dowsing Exercise with a Ring Pendulum

· Decide upon a number of questions that you or someone else would like to have answered.
· Choose a silver or gold ring. Even if it has no gemstones, it was created from a mineral.
· Tie a piece of thread to the ring. It should be no more than 7” long.
· Sit down comfortably and practice holding your ring pendulum in your dominant hand {right if you are right-handed, left if you are left-handed}. The official position is known as “the eye of the cobra,” which means holding your forearm in an upright position and slightly away from the body. The end of the thread is held between the thumb and first finger with the other fingers following the curve of that finger. The pendulum should be hanging straight down and parallel to your arm.
· Take time to establish how this pendulum will indicate “Yes” and “No” answers.*
· When you feel ready, give the pendulum a slight swing.
· Now ask your first question and wait for an answer.
· Once it is given, hold the ring still for a moment, and then give the pendulum a slight swing once again.
· Ask the next question and wait for an answer.
· Continue in this manner until all of the questions have been asked and answered.
· Thank the ring and cleanse it by visualization.**

* If a pendulum is being consulted for “Yes” and “No” answers, you will need to establish, before you begin to dowse, how your pendulum will show you these answers. For some people a pendulum will swing clockwise for “Yes” and anti-clockwise for “No.” For others it will show the affirmative by swinging up-and-down, and from side-to-side for a negative response. Take time before attempting any dowsing exercises to become familiar with how your pendulum indicates its answers to you.

** Imagine Divine golden light is radiating throughout the ring and its beams transform all negativity into positive energy.

N. B. If the ring pendulum should become still when you ask a question and does not indicate a “Yes” or “No” answer, then you are being told that it is not right to be given an answer at this time. If it appears undecided, in other words, it keeps alternating between clockwise and anti-clockwise, or between up-and-down and from side-to-side, then consider this to be a “Maybe” answer.

This Tuesday at The Tiki Hut - Sam Cheever

This Tuesday, I'd like you to meet award-winning urban fantasy author, Sam Cheever.

Sam Cheever writes fast paced fantasy and romantic fiction with feisty characters who deal with life's little challenges in unique and often hilarious ways. As a reader Sam is very impatient. She quickly loses interest if a story doesn't have a good pace and snappy dialogue. Sam's inability to focus in a backwash of human angst and subtleties works out well for her readers, since she writes the way she likes to read.

In her real life, Sam lives on a hobby farm in Indiana with 10 dogs, 4 horses, 2 barn cats, 2 daughters, and one husband. Not necessarily in that order.

To learn more about the author and her work, visit her website at http://www.samcheever.com/ and her blog at http://tweenyouandme.blogspot.com/ or come friend her at http://www.myspace.com/samcheever.

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The following appeared in the Monday morning edition of the Chicago Tribune.

Pithy Prose from the Perky Poppy Pelham

The recent surprising rash of head bashings, dog poop flingings, and excessive Tarot card readings in Grooster Indiana are stark reminders of the frail architecture upon which a small town is built. As a survivor of these events, the Perky Poppy Pelham, pithy news babe for Grooster Indiana’s Grooster Rooster, is in a good position to do a post mortem on them.

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Gentle Readers, you are all no doubt aware that Grooster Indiana recently underwent some truly astounding events, which rocked the very foundations of our formerly innocent little town.

Not since the Habidary twins decided to host a clothing optional church social have the citizens of Grooster been quite so outraged. Even the sight of old man Warner’s wrinkly Mr. Winky, newly released from his tidy whities and wobbling dangerously close to the punch bowl in the church basement, failed to provide the level of horror brought on by recent events in the park. Grooster’s unsuspecting inhabitants have taken a rhetorical slap upside the head with the painful resurrection of the violent Ding Dong incident from 20 years ago and the infiltration into our formerly pristine little town of drugs and Satanism, along with a series of vile kidnappings.

It’s been almost too much to bear.

When one of our citizens takes up with thugs and indulges in thuggery, that is reason for great concern. But when that thuggery spreads to cloud the innocence of our unblemished youth, that is a truly frightening occurrence. Not only did recent events drag a fair number of Grooster’s youth into debauchery and unlawful dealings, they also spotlighted the more craven among us, giving rise to a new fear among the populace of what lies behind the familiar faces they pass on the street.

On a more personal level, this reporter has learned what it means to be beslimed, besmirched, and beleaguered as I engaged the enemy in the park and used my considerable reporting acumen to single handedly uncover their ugly deeds for all to see. It remains doubtful if the local police or the DEA, led by a truly yummy male specimen who favors cowboy hats and tight jeans, could have solved this case without my invaluable help. Holding that knowledge close, I retain a certain proud aspect to my step and a satisfied tilt to my chin.

But alas, I do bear a few scars from the experience.

Accosted by dog poop, having my wardrobe insulted by the spandex wearing lispy types who frequent Homo Haven, and losing a few inches of my dignity after being talked into not only buying but also wearing a head scarf made of gently used men’s underwear, I am like a wobbly old war veteran, a bit tattered and torn, but still feisty and forging onward with determination.
All of us in Grooster, in fact, are stronger for having survived the recent events in Grooster Park. And although I suspect we’ll greet each other in passing now with a slightly more reserved manner, the camaraderie built on mutual survival creates a bond that will carry us through the healing process nicely.

Unfortunately, though, as I gaze at the bottom of my new sneakers, splotched disgustingly with a brown and smelly mash that was no doubt acquired as I traversed Dog Poop Alley on my way to work this morning, I’m reminded of poor Ben Fecious, whose stint as park pooper scooper was cut lamentably short by the application of a baseball bat to the side of his head. Making me realize that, alas, there are still a few loose ends to be gathered up.

As always Gentle Reader, I’ll keep you posted.

Poppy Pelham, Rooster Crime Scene Correspondent, back in all my former glory to report the news to Grooster, Indiana.

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Title: Dancing With TadAuthor: Sam CheeverPublisher: Red Rose Publishing ISBN: 978-1-60435-203-0Buy Dancing With Tad

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He pulled her through an exit and dragged her to a small, red, sports car. The car bleeped as he unlocked it. After opening the passenger door, he pushed her gently into the seat. “Get in and buckle up.”

Clancy scowled at him and as soon as he started around the car, she grabbed the door handle and jumped out. She didn’t get far.

Thadeous grabbed her arm and pushed her back against the car, holding her there with his body. His eyes were filled with hostility and something deeper — scarier.

Lust.

Clancy didn’t like the hostility, so she did the only thing she could think of to get rid of it. She leaned forward and placed her lips on his.

Thadeous responded immediately and passionately. His lips crushed hers as his long, hard body pressed her into the car. His arms slid around her shoulders and one large hand cupped the back of her head, holding her against him as his mouth ravaged hers.

Clancy gasped as he forged a heated trail down her chin, then back up to her mouth. He forced her lips open and subjected her mouth to a demanding and sexually charged assault with his tongue. Clancy moaned and lifted one leg to wrap it around his thigh, pressing herself into him like a dog in heat, helpless against the tide of lust that swamped her.

Suddenly he pulled away, nearly panting, and swore softly.

Clancy drooped visibly as his hot, hard body left hers, taking with it something that she hadn’t felt in years. Something, she decided in that moment, she’d desperately missed. “What? What’s wrong?” Her voice was breathless, too.

He shook his head and touched her swollen lips with a gentle finger. “I’m not going to do this while you’re under the influence. When it happens, I want to be sure you know what you’re doing and have made the choice willingly.” He gently nudged her back into the sexy little car and Clancy sat.

She closed her eyes, leaning her head back against the seat, and took deep breaths as he walked around the car and got behind the wheel. They drove to her house in silence, both of them lost in their thoughts and trying to deal with the Tsunami of emotion their kiss had stirred up. When he pulled up in front of her house, she dragged herself out of the emotional daze enough to be surprised. “You know where I live?”

They climbed out of the little car and he came around to her side. “I know lots of stuff about you.” He told her with a secretive kind of smile. Clancy frowned. “I’m not sure I like the sound of that.”

He cocked his head at her and leaned close, his lips mere centimeters from hers. “Why? Do you have something to hide from me, Clancy Rogers?”

She exhaled slowly and carefully, her hands finding his waist almost against her will. Shaking her head, she leaned into him and met him halfway. This time the kiss was sweet and gentle, filled with promises that neither of them intended to honor at that moment.

He left her after demanding dinner the following night. “I need to find out about this.” He held up the drug filled condom she’d given him in the mall.

Clancy sighed and nodded. “Seven o’clock then. You might as well come here. I’ll cook.”

He gave her that slow grin. “Be still my heart. A home cooked meal.”

Clancy shook her head and turned to let herself into the house. “Don’t get too excited. You haven’t tasted my cooking yet.” She heard him chuckle as she closed the door behind her.

Bears, Otters, & Wolves -- oh my!

I'd like to introduce our first "Tuesday at the Tiki Hut" guest blogger, Amanda Young!

Amanda Young is a multi-published, erotic romance author. All of her books are steamy and not for the faint of heart. Since she tends to write whatever strikes her whimsy, all of her novels fall into various subgenres. Among her titles you'll find contemporary, manlove, and paranormal.

Basically, she writes stories about men and women who love indiscriminately and wholeheartedly. Her characters are never perfect; they're flawed and oftentimes troubled. Which makes it that much more satisfying when they receive the happy ending we all deserve. No matter what genre her books fall into, she can guarantee they'll end with a happily ever after. In her opinion, it's just not a romance without one.

Amanda's latest release is RECKLESS SEDUCTION (just released last Wednesday!)

Visit Amanda's Website - Visit Amanda's Blog - Visit Amanda's MySpace - Sign up for Amanda's Newsletter.

Welcome to the Tiki Hut, Amanda!


Thanks DeNita, happy to be here!

One of my favorite things about writing M/M romance is the ability to write outside the box. The characters don't have to be the typical alpha male found in other genres.

In my opinion, the idea of physical beauty in this day and age is a little skewed. Instead of smooth, flawless skin and gym-toned bodies, I've always been drawn to a different sort of man. The kind of man who's built like a brick sh*thouse and covered in hair. That's right—Bears. There's nothing sexier to me than a hairy chest and a solid masculine body. Michael Angelo's David be damned, I want to explore the allure of brawny men who can bench-press their own weight plus that of their partner.

For my next series, I'm planning to focus on big strapping men with even bigger hearts. There will be Bears, and Otters, and Wolves—oh my. For those of you who don’t know the terminology, I thought I would share some definitions (as I understand them) with you. If these are wrong in any way, or if you have any to add, please feel free to leave a comment.


Bear - a hairy man with a stocky or heavyset build and facial hair. Can be clean shaven
and of any age.

• Cub - a younger (or younger looking) version of a Bear, typically but not always with a smaller frame. The term is sometimes used to imply the passive partner in a relationship. Can be hairy or hairless.


• Gobi - A male, often heterosexual, who is often in the company of bears. Likened to a Goldilocks.


• Daddy bear - is an older guy sometimes looking for a daddy/son relationship with either a younger Bear, Cub, Otter, Wolf or Chaser.


• Goldilocks - A female, often heterosexual, who is often in the company of bears (a bear's fag hag).


• Leatherbear - A bear with a leather fetish.


• Muscle bear - a muscular version of a Bear. A muscle cub is a younger or smaller, yet muscular, version. Can be hairy or hairless and of any age.


• Otter - a man who is hairy, but is not large or stocky - typically thinner, or with lean muscle. Slimmer version of a Bear with little pockets of fat like love handles or a tiny gut, but not as lean as a Wolf.


• Panda bear - a bear of Asian ethnicity. A panda cub is younger version. Usually hairless.


• Pocket bear - A short Bear.


• Polar bear - a silver- or white-haired Bear.


• Wolf - A lean, masculine gay man who is attracted to bears and involved in the bear scene.


• Woof - A greeting often used when a Bear spots another Bear in public and wants to express physical attraction. He might make a growling noise ("Grrr!") or say "Woof!"

Amanda Young
http://www.amandayoung.org/