Day 2 with Samantha Kane

Instead of the books I chose when we did the original DIK, I decided to do six Christmas DIK’s. I guess everyone should know that I celebrate Christmas so these books reflect that. I realize that not everyone celebrates Christmas, so I just thought you all should know where I was coming from. I hope you enjoy my picks!

#6 A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
I know, it’s almost a cliché now, but I think everyone should read the original. It’s actually a very short story. And the only Dickens book I like. (Refer to yesterday’s rant on Hemingway.)

#5 Bridget Jones’s Diary by Helen Fielding
It all begins and ends around the holidays. That’s my reasoning for why it’s a Christmas book. But I just love beleaguered Bridget Jones, chain-smoking, alcohol- swilling sex goddess, and Mark Darcy and even that cad, Daniel. I’d love to be this witty when I’m depressed and drunk.

#4 Mr. Timothy by Louis Bayard
This book came out a few years ago, and ever since I’ve been recommending it to everyone. Louis Bayard is a master of historical fiction. In Mr. Timothy his hero is Tiny Tim, tiny no more. It’s an adult Timothy Cratchit, dealing with the ghost of his father, Victorian pedophile’s, fishing dead bodies from the Thames for the money, and avoiding his successful, happy older brother Peter and his well-meaning, concerned, but very busy philanthropist Uncle Scrooge. The tone of the whole book is very dark, almost steam punk dark, but it is not steam punk. But Tim is living in a brothel, doing the books for the madam, and trying to rescue young girls from the alleys of Victorian London in his spare time with a young pickpocket as his sidekick. This is a great book.

#3 How the Grinch Stole Christmas by Dr. Seuss
This is the Christmas of my childhood. I love those darn Whos, and Max, and the Grinch with his great big heart. I think the green Grinch made science fiction so appealing when I was younger, and so believable. That’s what the Grinch really is, science fiction/fantasy for kids. It’s affected my reading and writing ever since. And it’s just such a feel good story. Way to go, Dr. Seuss.

#2 Two from Galilee: The Story of Mary and Joseph by Marjorie Holmes
This book is told from Mary and Joseph’s viewpoint. It’s about two young people who fall in love and are confronted with some very confusing, painful decisions. You don’t often get to read Joseph’s side of things. He really is the ultimate romance hero. The woman he loves comes to him and says the child that I carry is the child of God, and after a lot of soul searching he chooses to accept her and her unborn child. And he marries her, in spite of the protests of family and friends, and raises the boy like his own son. Pretty profound. I read this when I was a teenager and it really affected me.

#1 The Bible/The Gospel of Luke 2:1-20
The Christmas story. It’s the reason for the season. :-D

Day 1 ~ Samantha Kane!!!!!

HEY EVERYONE guess whose come to play with us on the island!!!! Why its Samantha Kane! *motions for the crowd to be silent* Now, now ladies lets not get too excited. Let's give Sam a chance to answer some question.

Oh and before I forget yesterday, the 17th, was Sam's release day for Retreat From Love. So when you ge a chance head over to the link below to the buy page at EC and pick it up!!
The link is http://jasmine-jade.com/ps-6774-50-retreat-from-love.aspx

Now without further delay here's our Sam with her About Me questions:



Favorite Reading Position
These days it’s not so much favorite as wherever and whenever I can! I read mostly at night in bed with a pile of pillows behind me and my husband snoring next to me. Or at the breakfast table. I’m not a morning person. I need a good hour or two of downtime as soon as I wake up. So I eat breakfast and have my coffee while reading a book. I guess that’s my favorite.

Best love song
I can’t pick just one! And most people will have never heard of my picks. Well, that’s not true. Canadians especially will know the first one. Boston and St. John’s by Great Big Sea. The second is It’s So Hard by Mare Winningham, the actress who is also a singer. I’m actually a big country music fan. So I love Addicted by Dan Seals, and Happiness Alone by Clint Black. And I’m a huge Jimmy Buffet fan, and one of the saddest love songs I’ve ever heard is Coast of Marseilles. Lordy, I love that song.

Favorite Heroine
Princess Meredith Gentry from Laurell K. Hamilton’s Merry Gentry, fairie princess series.

Author everyone loves but you don't
I refuse to answer on the grounds that it may incriminate me. But I can tell you an author who is considered an American icon and I can’t stand his books. Ernest Hemingway. Phtttpt!! (sound of spitting) I can’t stand Hemingway. God, if those characters were talking to him in his head night and day no wonder he drank like a fish. Ugh. Any Hemingway book I’ve ever read (and I’ve read a few, more than I wanted to) I spent almost the entire time wishing the characters would die so I could read a real romance instead.

If you could be in one book/series/world which would you pick
Gotta go back to the Merry Gentry series. Scary, violent, but oh the men. The magic. The sex. Yep. I want to live in that alternate reality.

How old is your inside voice
Um, you know, the thing is, I pretty much say what’s on my mind. So my inner voice is my outer voice, and she’s forty-one (almost forty-two, on Dec. 30), slightly used but in good condition, sarcastic, pragmatic, empathetic, and hormonal most of the time. And proud of it.

Favorite sex song
No question. Me and Mrs. Jones, both versions. The original by Billy Paul, and the remake by Michael Bublé.

If you could be a hero who would you be
Batman. He is wicked sexy, and I look fabulous in gray and black.

What heroine is most like you
Most like me? Yowza, that’s a tough one. Maybe Jasmin Field, from a marvelous book that came out in 2000 called Pride, Prejudice and Jasmin Field by Melissa Nathan. It’s British chick lit., and it’s very funny. Although I’m not British. But I love Jazz (the heroine).

What heroine would you like to be
Three guesses and the first two don’t count. Merry Gentry, of course. She may constantly be in fear for her life, tortured by her Aunt, raped by her uncle, but she has Doyle. And Rhys. And Mistral. And even Sholto, with his extra, octopus-like appendages that include extra sex organs. Whew! Is it hot in here, or is it the hormones?

Favorite book set on a tropical island
The Windflower by Laura London. Half the book takes place on pirate Rand Morgan’s private tropical isle. I would have definitely dragged Rand and Cat, the "boy" pirate, into the palm trees and convinced them to explore their repressed sexual attraction to one another with my support and assistance. Oops, TMI. My second favorite is Shanna by Kathleen E. Woodiwiss.

What hero would you like to be your significant other
Again, Batman. Dark, mysterious, and you know he’s got some kinks under the bat suit. He wears a bat suit, for god’s sake. And he’d be gone a lot, so, you know, I’d have my space when I needed it. And he’s loaded. The original tall, dark moneybags. And he’d have to let me drive the Batmobile cause we’re married and stuff.

If you were stuck on a desert island what 3 things would you bring
Sunscreen, an unlimited supply of drinking water, and a really big, sharp knife. Remember that pragmatic inner/outer voice? She’s freakishly practical, too.

Favorite Drink to Bring to the DIK party?
Cranberry juice and Malibu rum. Coconut rum with vitamins. Yum.

Book Giveaway Extravaganza

Over at my blog, Kiss and Tell Girls, nine Ellora's Cave authors with December releases, including me, decided we'd promote one another's books on each other's blogs, AND we'd give away copies of our new releases as we go. We’re calling it Deliciously Decadent December.
We are:
Amy Ruttan RAIN GOD 12/3
Cheryl Dragon QUINTUPLED 12/3
Aubrey Ross CRIMSON PREY 12/5
Emma Peterson SEDUCING ST. NIC 12/10
L.A. Day GREEK TEMPTATION 12/12
Samantha Kane RETREAT FROM LOVE 12/17
Kathy Kulig DESERT OF THE DAMNED 12/19
Angelia Sparrow EIGHT DAYS ABLAZE 12/24
Shelley Munro CAT BURGLAR 12/31

We don't have a release everyday of the month, but when one of us does I'll post a cover and blurb and links to buy or read excerpts. Each promo post will also contain a question that I'll answer, and then you can answer it in the comment section. You must comment on those posts to win books.

The rules are:
1. Leave a comment and you'll be entered to win.
2. Winner will be chosen at random via Random.org
3. You can enter a total of 9 times by leaving a comment on each Triple D author's blog but you will only allowed to win once.
4. You must be 18 and older to enter and/or win.
5. You must collect your prize within 10 days of prize announcement or prize is null & void.On days we don't have new releases to give away, below are just a few of the authors who will be giving away copies of their books, and some of them will be our guests, at the Deliciously Decadent December Yahoo Group, which you can join here. So drop by each day, where the nine of us will be visiting with guest authors and other readers.

Autographed Copy of Immortal Kiss by J.K.Coi (Dec. 22)
Autographed Copy of Make U Sweat by Amie Stuart
Autographed Copy of Nailed by Amie Stuart
Autographed Copy of Mistress of Pleasure by Delilah Marvelle
Autographed Copy of Alibi in High Heels by Gemma Halliday
Autographed Copy of Wicked Burn by Beth Kery
eBook - Stolen: Stealing the Show by Leila Brown
eBook - Unwrap My Heart by Jackie Barbosa (Dec. 23rd)
eBook - Comrades In Arms by Jackie BarbosaeBook - Hard Fall by Isabelle Drake (Dec. 15th)Autographed Copy of Animal Lust by Lacy Danes
Autographed Copy of What She Craves by Lacy Danes
Autographed Copy of A Red Hot Valentines Day by Lacy Danes
eBook - Charmed by Koko BrowneBook - Eight Seconds by Barrie Abalard
eBook – Birthright by Mari Freeman

And several of the Triple D authors will be giving away titles from their backlist as well. Moi will be giving away the complete Brothers In Arms series in ebook to one lucky winner. That's five ebooks in all.

Tumperkin's Arrival at the Island

[T steps off an elegant Victorian yacht assisted by a dark haired man with extravagant dimples who sports over a dozen watches on his waistcoat: Graham Wessit]

T: Ah, Graham - what a relaxing journey!

G: I don't think the others would agree ma'am.

[A motley crew of incredibly handsome men all in Regency or Victorian dress stagger off the boat looking green. One carries an abacus under his arm, another - with a thick luxuriant moustache - has a ferret perched on his shoulder]

T: Syddy's gone on ahead to get the house ready. There should be cocktails waiting when we arrive.

G: Mmmmmm. I like cocktails.

[A long haired man, also in Victorian dress but more conservatively dressed, catches up with them: Sebastian Verlaine]

S: Me too! And orgies.

G: (looking pleased and surprised) Me too!

[S and G engage in an animated conversation about spit-roasting. T smiles at them benignly and drops back to talk to another dark-haired man in slightly later Victorian/bordering on Edwardian dress. He is fingering his moustache nervously: Michael McNeil]

T: New tash feeling odd, Michael?

M: Rather. I shaved my whiskers off after I came back to civilisation from the wilderness. There's something wild and animalistic about having hair on my face. It makes me feel - funny.

T: (eyes gleaming) Mmmmm. Yes, I can see that. Have you spoken to Mick Tremore yet? He might be able to help you come to terms with your new look. Oh, and you'll love Syddy. He's an artist too. Not really in your league to be honest but terribly enthusiastic. (Brightly) Maybe the two of you could go painting together and I could come too - to um - watch!

M: (looking dubious) Wouldn't that be terribly tedious for you?

T: No, no! I love watching men - um, paint together. Ah, here's Mick! Mick, how are you, you great handsome man?

Mick: (grins) Fine and dandy, Ma'am. Might there be any ratting on the island?

T: (soothingly) I'm sure there will be. Would you two excuse me? I see the Duke of Jervaulx is looking a little lonesome and isolated.

[T walks over to yet another incredibly handsome dark-haired man - no tash - in Regency dress who looks a bit awkward]

T: Christian! Are you feeling a bit better since we got off the boat?

C: (after a moment's struggle) Yes - ma'am.

T: You look a little lonely.

C: I - no - was thinking of - mathematical theorem. Complex. Very (concentrates hard) interesting.

T: Oh. Yes. I'm sure. Well, (brightly) I'll leave you to it, shall I Chris?

[C nods absently and T walks to the last man off the boat. He is dressed in the scarlet uniform of a cavalryman from Wellington's army and he is missing his left arm. He has a tash, naturally: Charles Audley]

T: Charles darling!

Charles: (in a low, thrilling voice so that this one word seems to go on and on and on) Ma'am.

[C executes an exquisite bow over T's hand and kisses her fingers]

T: That's more like it! Ah, Charles, I know we're going to get on tremendously. But I must tell you that Syddy is a little - jealous of you.

Charles: (puzzled) But why?

T: He thinks you will replace him in my affections. It's absurd of course - but - wait! Here he comes now!

[S approaches them with a limping gait and his right arm sleeve pinned up. He is smiling shyly]

T: (delightedly) Oh Syddy! Did you do it for me?

S: Yes ma'am. Do you like it? [S fingers the tash that he has been growing since he came to oversee construction on the island]

T: It's gorgeous, Syd. Come here.

[T links arms with S and C, one on either side and they all walk up the house together.]

The End

BTW, pop over to my blog today for chapter 3 of the new category pastiche, The Italian Gourmet-Baby-Food Baron's Ironically Pregnant Virgin Mistress!

How Tumperkin Chose Her Heroes (Part 2)

[First thing the next day, T and S are sitting at her desk pouring over the list.]

T: So. I want Sebastian Verlaine.

S: Ma'am I really cannot recommend Verlaine as one of our party. His reputation - it is appalling! He has sunk lower than any other man on this list.

T: (mulishly) I want him.

S: (whispering) Ma'am, he has committed the Sin of Forced Sex.

T: (shrugs) So?

S: (shocked) You're not bothered by that?

T: Syddy, the forced sex storyline has a tendency to split the romance blogging community in two, if not three. Me, I think it can work. It's all about how it's handled and in my humble opinion, it's handled nowhere better than in To Have And To Hold by Pat Gaffney. The redemption of Sebastian Verlaine is my favourite ever redemption.

S: The man is a louse.

T: A sexy louse. He's coming. Who else you got for me? I suppose Fitzwilliam Darcy's long gone?

S: I'm afraid so, ma'am.

T: Probably just as well. Seb and Graham will want to organise an orgy or two - Darcy would disapprove. I'll try and catch up with him separately once we're on the island. Make a note to call his people when we get there. Arrange lunch or coffee. Just something casual.

S: (writes in notebook)

T: (casually) I've noticed Charles isn't on the list.

S: (stiffens almost imperceptibly) Charles?

T: Audley? From An Infamous Army by Georgette Heyer. Charles is lovely and you two get on so well. What with you missing your right arm and him missing his left....

S: (bitterly) Yes, he's got one arm and a tash. Little Mr. Perfect.

T: Syddy! You can't be jealous! Not of Charles!

S: Of course not! (goes beetroot) It's just that he's so - dashing and all, in his scarlet uniform...

T: Syddy, you're my best one-armed man, I promise. Who's my PA?

S: Me.

T: Yes - you! I chose you to fetch my lattes and muffins and organise my schedule, Syddy. Not Charles.

S: (smiles) Yes ma'am.

T: Good. Tell Charles to bring his horsey thingy. I like to see a man on horseback. Oh, and what about Sherv! How is he these days? Dear Christian.

S: He's quite recovered ma'am, though he still has a slightly odd way of talking. His bout of mania -

T: It was a stroke, Sydnam.

S: Yes, stroke. Well, he's well and truly over it ma'am.

T: Still doing his little sums?

S: Yes, indeed.

T: How sweet. He's gorgeous too. Yum. Do you think he'd be interested?

S: I'll call his people.

T: Do that. Tell him to bring his abacus thingy if he likes. Is that it then?

S: We've one more slot left.

T: Goodness, who to choose?

S: Might I venture a suggestion ma'am?

T: Please do.

S: I'm surprised you've not thought of him already. He's strong and good and honourable and very hot.

T: Oooooh I like the sound of him! Tell me more.

S: He's very - natural and rather, well, innocent. Almost virginal.

T: (eyes light up) Arms?

S: Two, ma'am.

T: (disappointed face) Well, no-one's perfect. Tash?

S: It's been known. Not at present but he could re-grow. Enlightened views too. And an artist.

T: You don't say? Who is this paragon?

S: Michael McNeil.

T: From Wild at Heart by Pat Gaffney? How could I forget! Tell him to bring his painty thingys. You and he can paint together and I'll watch. And maybe you'll start feeling strangely attracted to one another and before you know it -

S: (looking worried) Um, yes ma'am. I'll, erm, make a note of that.

T: (briskly) So, we're all set?

S: It would seem so, ma'am. Cocktail?

T: Yes indeed, Syddy. I think a gin fizz, don't you?

S: And a snog ma'am?

T: Oh yes, Syddy dear, I think so!

How Tumperkin Chose Her Heroes (Part 1)

[Tumperkin shuffles through a large pile of papers on her desk and frowns. She leans forward over the enormous desk and presses the intercom]

T: Sydnam, could you come through here?

S: (disembodied voice) Yes, ma'am.

[A few moments later a man enters the room. He is has only one arm and one eye and is limping. He is in Regency dress and carries a clipboard under his good arm and a grande latte in his good hand]

S: Your latte, ma'am (he sets down the cup)

T: (frowning) Where's my muffin?

S: (looking nervous) I'll just get it. It's just -

T: (rolling eyes) Yes, yes, the one arm thing, I get it.

[S limps out of the room and returns moments later with a brown paper bag]

S: I'm afraid they didn't have the white chocolate and raspberry so I got the -

T: (peering inside bag) Jeez, Syd, skinny blueberry? That would be my last choice. (shakes head). Ok. Syd, I've been through the papers you left for me. What's this DIK thing? I gotta choose men for this? We're going camping or something?

S: In a manner of speaking ma'am. However, knowing your dislike of camping, I've taken the liberty of arranging for a party of natives to commence construction on something a little more substantial than the usual beach hut. I have the plans here.

[Sydnam shuffles awkwardly through the papers on his clipboard and finally extracts some plans]

T: (whistling) Pretty impressive, Syd.

S: Thank you ma'am, I aim to please. As you know, I was the estate manager for the Duke of Bewcastle's Welsh estate for some years and I count myself to be rather -

T: That'll do Syd.

S: Sorry ma'am.

T: So, who's coming apart from you and me?

S: You want me to come, ma'am? Really? Gosh! Am I really one of your favourite romance heroes?

T: Of course you are, Syd! Why else would I have asked you to be my personal assistant? You're so kind and sweet, and with your missing arm and eye you're like a little wounded puppy. I adore you Syd!

S: Do you ma'am? But I'm so disfigured!

T: That's ok Syd, I can see past your disabilities to the fine, beautiful man underneath.

S: Gosh, that's a relief! Could we have a little snog now?

T: Later Syd. We need to work out who else we're bringing.

S: Well, ma'am, I've taken the liberty of preparing a short list.

T: Oh, Syd! What would I do without you? Let me see. (Pours over list; picks up red pen and scores through several names; after a few moments, T's head snaps up) What is Lucas from Slave to Sensation doing on this list?

S: You loved that book ma'am.

T: Well, yes, I enjoyed the book, but everyone knows I don't like all that possessive shit, Syd! And fated mates? So not my thing! I want a hero who is strong, yes, but I want him to let his woman be strong and independent too. I want a hero to be looking for a woman who will challenge and needle and provoke him. A man like -

S: Graham Wessit from Black Silk by Judith Ivory?

T: Yes! Is he free? Can he come?

S: He is indeed, ma'am. And raring to go. He's quite the social animal as you know and he loves a new diversion.

T: He sails doesn't he? That'll be useful on an island. Tell him to bring his boaty thing.

[S makes note on clipboard while T returns to reviewing the list]

T: (head snaps up) Where the shitting bollocks is Dain from Lord of Scoundrels?

S: Taken.

T: What?! I thought you said these chicks were paranormal freaks?

S: Many of them are but I'm afraid one or two seem to be historical fans like yourself ma'am.

T: (shoots S a significant look) Find. Out. Who. Has. Dain.

S: Yes ma'am.

T: We'll need some tash on the island.

S: I was thinking of Mick Tremore in that regard ma'am.

T: (looks up from papers in surprise) Has he grown it back?

S: It's bigger than ever ma'am.

T: Excellent. Sign him up. Better tell him to bring his ferrety thing. There may be rats.

S: Very good ma'am.

T: Right, so we've got you, Mick and Graham. Excellent work so far. I'm feeling rather tired now, Syd. Shall we go and have that snog now and reconvene tomorrow?

S: Very good ma'am. Would you like me to prepare you a cocktail?

T: That would be lovely Syddy. You do take care of me! An elderflower martini would be lovely.