Cupid's Choice Bog Hop at ShapeShifter Seductions

Here's the first few paragraphs of my post for the Cupid's Choice Blog Hop.
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The Were-Huntress, Cupid's Victim

Like background music, Selakiah smelled the woman's werewolf lover. The smiling blue-haired barista placed a second cup of Cappuccino, sprinkled with cinnamon, before her.

Without taking her gaze off Zuquotti, the mercenary-for-hire werebeast striding toward the coffee shop from across the street -- not for a fraction of a second, Selakiah thanked the young woman, then lifted the cup and took a small sip.

"Delicious," she praised.

"You're new in town. Planning on staying in our fair Talbot's Peak for awhile?" the barista chattily asked.

There weren't that many customers. Selakiah assumed it was because the lunch crowd had departed. Even though, shapeshifters and supernaturals were the main population of this off-the-beaten-track town in Montana, many of them appeared to have regular jobs and careers. So she'd observed the past three days.

"Depends," she answered. "I'm a working girl...as in private investigator," Selakiah added because of her snow bunny outfit, her generously displayed cleavage.
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More at ~ shapeshifterseductions.blogspot.com/2012/02/shapeshifter-seductions-cupids-choice.html ~
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~ Have a Magickal Valentine's Day ~

Savanna

Savanna Kougar ~ Run on the Wild Side of Romance ~

Charles d'Orleans, The Romantic Duke

By: Stephanie Burkhart

One of the earliest Valentine's ever wrote for which we still have a record of was by the Duke of Orléans, Charles Valois. His story is one that touches my heart and his poetry is very moving.

Charles was born in Paris in November 1394 and became the Duke when his father, Louis, was murdered on the orders of John, Duke of Burgundy, a rival nobleman.

Charles is best remembered as a poet, writing over 500 poems. Most of these were written when he was a prisoner of war.

Charles was 14 when his father passed and he became the Duke. He was young and impressionable, and fell under his father-in-law's influence, the Count of Armagnac.

Charles's first wife was Isabella of Valois (a daughter of French King Charles VI) He loved her dearly, but she died in childbirth. In 1410, he married Bonnie d'Armagnac, Count d'Armagnac's daughter.

In 1415, Charles was taken a prisoner of war in the Battle of Agincourt. He was 21. Henry V of England took him to the Tower of London were Charles composed most of his poetry. Charles was in captivity for over 24 years (he was in the line for the French throne and England didn't want to give him up.) With nothing better to do, Charles wrote.

Most of his poetry was for his wife, Bonnie, but she died before he was released. He was let out in 1440 at the age of 46 and married a third time. His son from his third marriage, became Louis XII. His poems are mostly French Rondeaus, a two line rhythm and are usually about love and the spring time.

Charles's Valentine in the original French:

Je suis desja d'amour tanné,
Ma tres doulce Valentinée

Rondeau VI, lines 1-2.

Here's another of Charles' poem in English:

(To his Mistress, to succor his heart that is beleaguered by jealousy)

Strengthen, my Love, this castle of my heart,
And with some store of pleasure give me aid,
For Jealousy, with all them of his part,
Strong siege about the weary tower has laid.

Nay, if to break his bands thou art afraid,
Too weak to make his cruel force depart,
Strengthen at least this castle of my heart,
And with some store of pleasure give me aid.

Nay, let not Jealousy, for all his art
Be master, and the tower in ruin laid,
That still, ah Love! Thy gracious rule obeyed.

Advance, and give me succor of they part;
Strengthen, my Love, this castle of my heart.


Enjoy your Valentine's Day weekend!

Oh, the Memories

On Facebook the other day, the sister of a friend of mine posted a little dilly for everyone to repost. She finds these little fun things for all to do and they are a hit. This particular one was to post an older photo of you with your SO/spouse and date your relationship.

Another, a guy, posted wanting everyone to name their favorite Led Zepplin song and why.

Oh, the memories these two posts brought up.

My husband and I met when I was sophomore in high school, he a junior. We had gym class at the same time - not yet co-ed, but neither of us enjoyed the crowded locker room at the end of class. So, we'd stay out on the floor and play basketball. He doesn't recall this, but it's one of my favorite memories. You see, I've always been a Tom Boy and grew up playing Cowboys & Indians; army, built tree houses, baseball, did anything and everything the boys in the neighborhood could do. This was my first experience playing basketball with a boy. The one-on-one play with him showed we were an even match - we had a competitive chemistry. He gave me a work-out the girls didn't, which was why I turned down a spot on the girl's school team. Girls weren't supposed to be all that competitive and this quiet-shy girl was ruthless when it came to sports.

This photo I ended up posting was taken two years later, my senior prom. Oh, we were so young and thin then. See that lack of chemistry -- didn't last long. lol

While we had occasion to see one another many times before, nothing was ever said. He was dating a friend, engaged to her for a short while, in fact. Till this day, we call her his other wife and our sons call her mom. We'd double-dated on occasion, but it never once entered my mind that he was cute, likeable in the girl-boy way; I never gave him a thought other than the basketball games we had.

When prom came around and I'd not accepted any invitations to attend, my friend insisted I must go. Since my two-year relationship with a guy had ended months earlier, I wasn't the least bit interested in seeing anyone else. Well, she decided her ex would be the perfect remedy for me. I resisted and he was the one who talked me into going.

I could say the rest is history, but why leave the fun out. The chemistry we had playing basketball returned on the dance floor, but differently. Most would say it was the occasion, rebound issues for both of us; seeing my ex with someone else and a host of other reasons. But I honestly do not remember who attended, who the DJ was, the theme of the dance - who was crowned King and Queen - much to a friends displeasure since she was Queen. It was like a cloud formed around us and no one, nothing else mattered. Something happened during Led Zepplin's Stairway To Heaven - two hearts litterally collided and being 17 & 19, clear headedness isn't there. I think back on it and I should really feel remorse, shame and embarrassment for the public display of what was happening to us, but I don't. It didn't matter then that we were nearly kicked out of my prom, and now I look back on it with a smile. ;) Back then, it was frowned on to have no light between bodies on the dance floor, kissing was a major offense -- hand-holding was barely tollerated, so it wasn't like we were really going at it like your minds might interpret. lol

We did not attend the after prom party, nor the class the party the following day. Instead, we spent the night together, ok - now I should clarify. While we did go back to his place and things did get hairy for me, we stopped it before it got out of hand and returned my friends house where we spent the night playing games and watching television. The day after, we spent the day at the zoo, enjoyed a nice picnic on the cloudy day - it was perfect. It was the best twenty-four hours I'd had in so long.

Two weeks later, he dumped me to go to a concert with a friend of his and two other girls. I was stunned, hurt and moved out of town right after graduation.

He was in my soul and I couldn't forget him. My girlfriend, his ex, listened, consoled and did what any friend would do. She called him names and we male-bashed though we both knew neither of us meant a word of it.

Finally, I called him - it seemed like ages, but in fact was only two weeks. He confessed to being terrified of me, what he was feeling, what I made him feel. He apologised profusely, begged me to forgive him. What girl could resist?

Now, I can say the rest is history.

We married less than two months later on August 12, 1977, my eighteenth birthday. Which has it's own story as to why we married that day. Love you, daddy.

We're best friends, we like each other, we love each other and that is so much more than many other couples could hope for.

We do so many neat things for each other all throughout the year that it's really hard to top it for Valentine's Day. We've had many traditions, rendezvous, special dinners, secret get aways, daily giving of cards; surprising everyone with a Valentine box full of goodies.

This year, I'm happy to just be with him, have here with me. Dinner, cards, even the bottle of his favorite wine I have hidden until tonight is icing.

And being the sentimental creature -- it fills my heart to overflowing to see my sons carrying on what they've learned from living with their parents. No one could ask for more. Today, our baby, our sixteen year old is cooking his first Valentine dinner. I still can't believe he came to me the other day and told me his intention. Wow!

May your day be filled with love, kisses and a future of heart-filled memories.

Bekki

http://bekkilynn.net

The Tiger Romances Valentine's Day

Yes, the Golden Tiger arrives on Valentine’s Day. The Chinese New Year begins on Valentine’s Day this year and the Metal or Golden Tiger represents the coming year in this Astrological tradition.

What does that mean, forecast-wise? I’m no expert. However, I’ll give this interpretation. In this year of 2010 ~ Love possesses the strength, the nobility and the fierce endurance of the Tiger.

Wherever we give of our love, to our lover, that one we adore with our whole heart... to friends, to our family, and to our communities...that splendid frequency ‘of love’ resonates and expands with the strength and nobility of the Tiger, and spreads throughout our world, making it a much more splendid place.

Rumbly purrs and Roars! Love and passion is definitely in the Eye of the Tiger or Tigress.

If my fantasies came true on Valentine’s Day, the gorgeous red-golden and black-striped beast would arrive for me on this special day for lovers, a bouquet of sumptuous red roses held in his powerful jaws. Sans the thorns, of course.
Being a shapeshifter, he would let me stroke and kiss and revel in his ‘oh so’ beautifully furred body, before transitioning into his human shape... then, roar and roll! Let the passion begin... yes, I’d grab a ‘tiger by the tail’! And, once I gaze into the passion-ferocious ‘eye of the tiger’, it’s ‘ride that tiger’... oh, baby!
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For romance-reading fun check out ~
Siren Seven Days of Valentine ~ at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SirenBookstrand ~
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Also! For lots of Eye Candy ~
Valentine's Weekend Blog Tour

This time, it will be stretching across a weekend, beginning on Friday February 12th at 00:01 (midnight) and ending on Sunday February 14th at 12:01 (noon) EST. We'll chat on Sunday, and announce the winners in chat at 5pm EST!

Begin the tour here ~ http://booknibbles.com/blogtour ~
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HAPPY GOLDEN TIGER VALENTINE’S DAY!

~ MAY YOUR BRIGHTEST READING DREAMS COME TRUE ~

Savanna

Savanna Kougar ~ Run on the Wild Side of Romance ~
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Valentine's Day: Have you got a Man or a Boy?

Every year, as Valentine's Day approaches, I often go through the ghosts of Valentine's past. What years were good and which ones were.....well not so good. I must say for the past eighteen years I've been pretty spoiled by my husband. He's a real man. He gives gifts that are thoughtful and have meaning. It's not about the cost, it's always the thought that goes into it and that is always what makes my heart flutter. I know there are many ladies out there that are wondering what their sweethearts will come up with for the most romantic day of the year. Romantic gift giving separates the men from the boys. So....is your man a man...or is he a boy? Here are a few examples to help you decide.

Boy Gift: Box of Russell Stovers wrapped in the clear cellophane
Man Gift: Godivas placed on your pillow with a little note

Boy Gift: Gas station flowers with a shelf life of 1 day (likely dyed a color not found in nature)Man Gift: A single red rose ( or what ever your favorite flower is) hand delivered to your door

Boy Gift: A gift card to Old Navy/GAP/Target
Man Gift: Doing all the laundry and putting it away

Boy Gift: Dinner out (probably local pub with sports on in the background)
Man Gift: He makes you dinner...AND cleans up

Boy Gift: Trial membership to the gym (so not only is he telling you to lose weight he doesn't think you'll stick with it...nice)
Man Gift: Gift certificate to the spa for a full day of beauty (if you have children it also means he takes the kids)

Boy Gift: Something sexy and lacy for you to wear for him. (Resembles dental floss and will give you a severe wedgie)
Man Gift: A bubble bath with wine, candles and music....by yourself. (He waits patiently for you to finish..never once asking.."Are you done yet.")

Last but not least, when you emerge from the bedroom in your carefully chosen outfit (Which by the way probably was result of trying on 87 different combinations) he will of course have something to say. The BOY says..."Oh, you're wearing that?" The MAN smiles broadly and says...."You look beautiful."Happy Valentine's Day Ladies. I hope you've all got a great MAN. I know I do.

Happily... Romance is in the air...

Romance and mushy stuff is in the air...valentines...red and pink and white, glittery and lacy and beautiful...I have come to believe this frilly fun is an upliftment of the human heart. Indeed. and softly sighing here, a true celebration of Valentine’s Day is a reminder to our hearts. Yes, romance and love is always in the air...waiting for us, ever available to us...the tender and caring part of our natures.
That’s where us writers of romance novels come into the scene...being extra sensitive to the magical pinkie and red sparkly stuff floating down from the rarified realm of Cupid, and of Venus, or as she’s also known, Aphrodite ~ yes, the sprinkling of love dust secretly inspires our most romantic love scenes *shhhh, don’t tell anyone* ~ also, another little secret straight from Cupid’s bow-shaped mouth, the red sequin-like dust inspires the passionate sexy side of all of us, writer or reader...or red-blooded human.
For now, we won’t get into the subject of dear Cupid's tiny love arrows. However, the color, red...well, read on.
Recently Lexie O’Neill blogged at Title Magic on how red is the color of desire for men, psychologically...as in wearing that curve-enhancing slinky scarlet gown with no back, or wearing that hot little red dress...or is that, a hot little red number? Most women know about tempting men with red instinctively, if not intellectually. Certainly, I have dressed my heroines in red often. In one of my WIP’s ~ the Secret Lives of Fortunate Wolves, the hero adores the heroine in red velvet, and has all sorts of glamor clothing created for her, just for his ‘big bad wolfie’ pleasure.
Yes, I am partial to red, most every shade of red, from a deep ruby blue-red to a flaming, nearly orange red, so naturally the color shows up often in my writing.
In the magickal tradition ~ red is the color of desire.
And since romance is in the air...valentine red, that is... I was inspired to begin this *I don’t know what it is* ... a new WIP, or one of my Serial Flashes... I’m just not sure what, yet. But, take a look...let me know what you think... definitely the spirit of Valentine’s Day is possessing me... or, could it be? Cupid!...where are you?
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Romance’s Red Ribbon ~

Light my loin’s fire,
Red is the color of my desire.
Let’s wing our love higher.
Come, take my breast, my Sire.
To ignite my most savage fire,
Taste my nipples to your desire,
Stoke my passions, take me swiftly higher...
Make them red as berries, my Princely Sire....
O, yes, I beg, tease my nether petals to a fierce needy fire
For you, bring me beneath your throbbing blade, soar us both to red’s most blistering desire...

Kyzaira sighed to the depths of her heart, and felt it flutter within her breast. She’d only meant to pen a few lines of fanciful thought. Yet, there it was, her heart and her desire spilled from her red ink pen onto parchment. Disbelievingly, she stared for a moment. How? When had she become so carried away? Some fair time ago, she had settled at her desk for the purpose of sending a message of polite regard, to be handed to the regional Prince, upon his annual arrival to their realm, as was her social duty. Instead, her folly of feeling, her romantic daydreams had won out, upon thinking of the Prince’s bold visage, often compared to the hunting ferocity of a falcon.
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HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY ~
May your most romantic dreams come true...

Romance is in the air *kiss* from the Kougar...

Savanna

Savanna Kougar ~ Run on the Wild Side of Romance ~ http://savannakougar.com ~