Check "Yes" or "No"

Truly, Madly, Deeply (Savage Garden)
“I’d be your dream
I’d be your wish…
I’d be your fantasy…
I’d be your hope…be your love…
Be everything that you need…”

Good Monday morning everyone! This is my first day on the DIK island so I thought we would talk about love letters.

Love letters are awesome. We love to write them, we love to receive them and like the voyeurs we are, we like to read love letters from fictional characters in books and from people in real life. I like to call them, Passive Emotional Artistry or PEA for short. Heh. Love letters can bring two people closer, help to smooth over bad mojo, facilitate a little bedroom action and if we have learned nothing else from romance novels, we have certainly learned love letters are a powerful blackmail tool. If you are reading a romantic suspense they can also be a reason for murder and mayhem. Tribute anyone?

We can learn a lot about people and our past by reading their PEA’s. You can read a bunch of famous peoples love letters here, ( Click it. Don't be lazy DIK's) James Joyce wrote some dirty, dirty, naughty love letters to his wife Nora, here.

Here is the first sentence of one of his letters:

"Dublin 2 December 1909 …………………………. My love for you allows me to pray to the spirit of eternal beauty and tenderness mirrored in your eyes or fling you down under me on that softy belly of yours and fuck you up behind, like a hog riding a sow, glorying in the very stink and sweat that rises from your arse, glorying in the open shape of your upturned dress and white girlish drawers and in the confusion of your flushed cheeks and tangled hair.”

Holy canoli! Cue the pron music. I wonder if she was flattered. Nothin’ says lovin’ like talking about the stink and sweat of your wife’s arse, or comparing your making sexy time, to farm animals while doing her from behind. Apparently he also had a panty fetish. If he was still alive today, he could shop here.( Prolly should not click that if you are at work) See how much we learned about James Joyce and his wife in just one sentence?

I love it when the books I read have love letters in them written to and by the H/H. Some of them are quite beautiful like the one from Wentworth to Simone in Persuasion by Jane Austen. This is my favorite part of that letter:

“You pierce my soul. I am half agony, half hope. Tell me not that I am too late, that such precious feelings are gone forever. I offer myself to you again with a heart even more your own, than when you almost broke it eight years and a half ago.”

In Naked In Death by JD Robb, Roarke leaves Eve a PEA in the form of a message cube. Sort of a high tech form of love letter, and very few words, but no less touching and meaningful to Eve. I am reading At Grave's End by Jeaniene Frost, in it Bones gave Cat a PEA but I won’t spoil it for those who have not read it yet. Read it. It's good!

My husband and I used to write love letters to each other on full sheets of paper or stationary when we were dating and when we were first married. Now, after 25 years of marriage, we write post-it-notes. Why just the other day, I stuck a post-it-note to his wallet that had one word on it. “Trash”. He wrote back, “I might be easy, but I’m not trash”. Ha ha. He’s so clever. See what I did there? I was just reminding him to take out the trash and I actually wrote a PEA and didn’t know it. Moving, isn’t it? I think we should save it and pass it down to our grandkids and great-grandkids. Okay, maybe not. But my point is, is that PEA’s can come in all shapes, sizes and mediums. For our 20th anniversary, my hubby made a CD or DVD, I don’t know, for me. He scanned in pictures of our engagement, wedding, our children growing up and all the milestones of our 20 years together and put it to music in a Power Point (nerd) slide presentation. It made me cry buckets and I loved it. I still pull it out to watch it from time to time and I still cry buckets each and every time. I think it’s the best gift he ever gave me.

And to men who think writing a love letter is “girly”, I say this, romantic gestures do not make you less manly and the man that told you that is sad on the inside.

So tell me, what is your favorite PEA? Is it from a book, from a lover, lyrics in a song, or is it the note you got in Kindergarten from Tommy R. whose love you spurned when you checked “no” and then he threw a chair at you? And then you wanted to choke the little SOB because nobody throws a chair at you and lives... OR was that just me?

Tomorrow I will list my books I brought to the island and Wednesday we will talk about the heroes. Have a great day!

*Disclaimer- The formatting of this post may be wonky. I don't know what the hell I'm doing.

And the winner

of a Jamie Craig book is

Sarai

Sarai, could you please contact us at jamiecraigbooks@gmail.com. Congratulations Sarai and our thanks to everyone who participated.

Pepper and Vivien would like to thank the ladies of the DIK for their hospitality over the past 3 days and look forward to seeing them in the future.

DIK -- Major Crossover Event: Jamie Craig - Day 3

While debating what we should do for today's post, we came upon the idea of letting a few of our characters meet each other. I was really amused by the thought of Aden, the alpha werewolf from Trick of Silver, meeting Gideon, our master vampre in the The Master Chronicles. Plus, Jesse would waste no time in corrupting Darren--I mean, what's not to love about Darren? He's pretty, he's strong, he's a trained killer, and he's got a werewolf wrapped around his finger. Jesse would love that! So Vivien and I decided to write two short scenes. I'd write Jesse and Darren meeting, while she would get Aden and Gideon. As for the third scene...we haven't written that yet. We want you to decide what should come next!

#

After pacing around the room for a solid five minutes, Darren finally sat, but his gaze still darted from one corner to the other, as though he was waiting for somebody—or something—to burst into the room. He wasn’t exactly nervous, just attentive, his body tightly coiled and ready to spring into action. Maybe living with a pack of werewolves did that to a person. Either way, Jesse decided he’d be sure not to do anything to startle Darren. Though he did wish an entire table wasn’t separating them. He found Darren’s energy very enticing—not to mention Darren’s body and Darren’s mouth.

“What’s it like living with a vampire?”

“Oh…I don’t know. It seems pretty normal to me. What’s it like living with a werewolf.”

“Strange. Especially since there’s usually one or two wolves from his pack drifting around the house. And they don’t exactly like me.”

“Why not?”

Darren lifted his shoulder in a half-shrug. “They think I’m going to kill them. I’m not. Well, I don’t plan to. You ever meet a werewolf?”

“I’ve met a werebear. There aren’t any werewolves around here.”

“There probably are. They’re everywhere.”

“Why do they think you’re going to kill them?”

“Because I used to be an Argenti agent.”

He said it like that was supposed to mean something to Jesse. “And you used to kill werewolves?”

“I used to be the best at killing werewolves.”

“And now you’re fucking one.”

“You’d fuck him, too, if you were in my shoes.”

“Really?” Jesse leaned forward. “What’s it like?”

Darren’s brows knitted together. “Do you want me to draw you a diagram or something?”

“Not unless you want to.”

Darren took a deep breath. “It’s very intense. Aden is very…intense.”

“Any biting?”

“Why do you ask? Does Gideon bite you?”

“Sure, all the time.”

“You’re not scared about becoming a vampire?”

“I’d have to bite him back. And I’ve only done that once…”

“What do you think they’re doing?”

Jesse shrugged. “Probably goading each other into a fight.”

“What’s it like with Gideon?”

“Intense. I should show you the playroom.”

“Why? What’s in there?”

“Chains. Whips. Racks. Gags. Shackles. Cages. Paddles.” Darren’s eyes got wider with each word, and Jesse’s groin began to tighten. He’d love to know what Aden was capable of, and while he’d like to witness it from in the room, he would settle for watching the two of them with the closed circuit cameras Gideon had installed. “Think Aden would be interested in that?”

“Definitely.”

“Gideon doesn’t share well with his toys.”

“You just want to see what sex is like with a werewolf.”

Jesse grinned. “True, but I wasn’t just thinking about him.”

The corner of Darren’s mouth lifted. “Aden doesn’t share with his toys, either.”

“We’re just going to have to convince them that this is their idea.”

“I don’t know if that’ll work.”

“It should. You never know unless you try, right?”

“If Aden doesn’t like the idea, I’m blaming you.”

Jesse’s grin only widened. “You can blame me anyway.”

“So Gideon can punish you for your bad behavior?”

“You catch on fast.”

Darren’s smile matched his. “Oh, I’m a quick study.”

Jesse pulse began to hammer. He just hoped that Gideon and Aden weren’t trying to kill each other.

#

Aden Richter filled the playroom doorway. Filled. Tall, broad, and so straight, Gideon automatically pulled himself up even more. Only a computer or a network executive could ever equate this werewolf/used bookstore owner with Jesse and his Cambridge education.

Clear blue eyes flickered over the cages lining the far wall. Jesse’s eyes were better. “Interesting room.”

“I like it.”

“Yes, I think you would.”

Gideon frowned. “Come in, or get out.”

The wide mouth canted. “Not much for hospitality, are you?” But he sauntered in anyway.

Gideon folded his arms over his chest and waited. The wolf made his skin crawl, and the feral scent of his blood made Gideon’s fangs itch. He bit the inside of his cheek to keep from lashing out when Aden toyed with one of the cuffs on the St. Andrew’s cross.

“You don’t seriously think I’m going to let you fuck me, do you?” Aden’s tone remained casual. He didn’t even glance in Gideon’s direction.

“My playroom. My rules.”

“Playroom. You’re a funny man.”

“Yeah, I’m hilarious.”

Chains clanked where Aden let them hit the wall. Gideon’s hands balled into fists.

“Rules are one thing. You seem to be suffering from delusions.”

“I prefer to think of it as knowing who I am.”

A small snort. “Translation? Inflexible.”

“And I suppose you’re more relaxed.”

“I’m a fucking contortionist compared to you.” Aden came to a halt in front of the long cupboard and opened it without asking. Rows of whips, cuffs, floggers, and everything else he and Jesse used in here swung into view. “Though I do give you credit for thoroughness.”

“Gee. Color me flattered.”

Aden swept his clear gaze down Gideon’s body, pointedly tilting his head to get a better view of Gideon’s ass. “You really expect me to believe you’ve never bent over for a nice cock? Try again.”

“But not yours.”

“We’ll see.”

The urge to throw Aden in the smallest of the cages and keep him there until he howled brought a smile to Gideon’s face. But no way was he going to submit to Aden’s lead.

“Feel free to look around.” Unlocking his arms, he strolled for the door. “Just remember if you break it, you buy it.”

“Where are you going?”

“Out.” Gideon paused. “How pretty is your boy?”

“Gorgeous.”

“And he’s with Jesse right now.”

“Yeah. Why?”

“They didn’t tell you much about him, I take it.”

Aden’s eyes narrowed. “Like what?”

“Like the fact all you have to do to get Jesse on his knees is blink in his direction.” He smiled. “I’ll bet he has your boy all primed and ready to go by now. And not a top in sight. Pity. For you, anyway.”

His hand hadn’t even reached the doorknob before Aden leaped at him from behind.


#

So...what comes next? A fight between Gideon and Aden? Or do they work out their differences in other ways? Maybe Jesse and Darren don't make it as far as the playroom. We'll write the best suggestion by the end of the day--and by "best" suggestion, I mean the suggestion that we think we could write well. :) As before, all commentors will be put in a drawing for a free book (print or ebook).

Jamie Craig - Day 2 - The DIK Casting Couch

Vivien and I love to search for models and actors when we're starting a new books. Mainly because it's an excuse to look at pretty, pretty people. We thought we would do the same for this post, only with a minor twist--classic Hollywood!

The game was this: each one of us took a handful of our favorite characters and decided to cast them for a movie. But we could only use actors from Classic Hollywood. The books we chose were Trinity Broken, The Master Chronicles, Stealing Northe, Stealing West, Trick of Silver, and Fortune's Honor.



First up is our threesome from Trinity Broken . I will admit, I was a little indulgent here. See, my favorite actor is Cary Grant. And there's nothing I like more than thinking about the Cary Grant with Randolph Scott. So I decided that Cary Grant should be Josh Ames, and Randolph Scott should be Cameron.

The lovely Ava Gardner would be perfect to play their lover and best friend, Sara.



Next is our other threesome from The Master Chronicles. Jesse, Gideon, and Emma. First up is the magnificent, brooding, moody, beautiful Marlon Brando.



I always imagined Jesse as handsome and pretty at the same time. Somebody who could be very strong, but also vulnerable. He needs to be mercurial and intense, with dark hair and gorgeous eyes. He also needs to be willing to get on his knees for the right man--well, we're talking about Jesse here. He'd get on his knees for anybody.



Finally, Emma. Beautiful and ethereal, yet down to earth. Like Jesse, she needs to be vulnerable yet strong.




Third is our third threesome! Stealing Northe. Kenneth, Amy, and Leon. I selected Henry Fonda for Kenneth because let's face it, Henry Fonda was hot when he was young. Also, though I will forever have the image of Henry Fonda as Frank from Once Upon a Time in the West. Either way, most people have the image of Henry Fonda as the good guy, and Kenneth is a good guy with a bit of the outlaw in him (in more ways than one).



His best friend and lover is Leon. We like Robert Wagner because he's got a sort of playful quality that hints at Leon's clever tongue (in more ways than one!)



The woman that comes between them (excuse the pun) is Amy. We selected Deborah Kerr. Despite the girly-girl photo, it's easy to imagine her with her hair up, her face dirty, and her eyes intent as she goes about getting the job done.





In Stealing West, a bounty hunter named Thomas hunts Leon down and does unspeakable yet wonderful things to Leon's body. Now, I selected somebody that might be out of left field. Especially since Thomas can be a little hardcore, and well...a little hardcore. And the man I selected is best known as the Lone Ranger, aka Clayton MOore. I chose him because of his eyes. I mean, look at this man. Does he look like somebody you'd want to mess with?





Fourth is Trick of Silver. I'll admit to something...one of my all time favorite movies is Some Like it Hot, and I think Tony Curtis looks fabulous in a dress. He was the obvious choice for Darren, our special Argenti agent who is sent to a Halloween party in skirt and heels in order to kill a very dangerous and sexy werewolf.



Aden is the very dangerous werewolf--who happens to own a used bookstore. We needed somebody who could look sexy with a book. He also needed to sound a little bit like sin. Tell me we weren't successful with Mr. Gregory Peck.





Finally, we have Fortune's Honor. Clay is an old-fashioned cowboy. He has honor, he (metaphorically) wears a White Hat, he's handsome, and he's unbelievably sexy. My brain immediately went to Gary Cooper.



He needs a woman who has class. A woman who has heart. A woman who is as strong as he is. Obviously, that woman is Grace Kelly.





This was actually a lot of fun. We'd like you guys to go to our website and pick a book or two for "central casting". Everybody who comments will be placed in a drawing for a book of your choice (print or ebook).

About Me - Jamie Craig - Day 1

As most of you know, the writing team Jamie Craig is Pepper Espinoza and Vivien Dean. We're delighted to tell you about us. Pepper is gold and Vivien is Green

Favorite Reading Position –
Curled up in the corner of the couch, with my uber-soft throw.

I tend to lay down to read. On my back or my side.

Best love song –
I’m leaving the music questions to Pepper because music is just not my thing, lol.

Oh, this is a difficult one. There are so many great love songs that I adore. I’m going to go with Wilco’s “Reservations” for the line “I’ve got reservations about so many things, but not about you.”

Favorite Heroine –
Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Get to have both Angel and Spike wrapped around my little finger, kick ass, and be a size two with great coats? Hell yeah.

Of any book all time? Scarlett O’Hara. Smart, resourceful, does what she needs to do. And yeah, she’s self centered but she’s more than that.

Author everyone loves but you don’t –
Charlaine Harris. I think she’s absolutely adorable and wonderful in person, but I have never been able to get into her writing. *hangs head in shame*

Um…there are many. The ones that spring to mind right now are JK Rowling, Stephanie Meyer, and Laura Hamilton.

If you could be in one book/series/world which would you pick –
That depends. Do I get to survive like the heroes do? Because all my favorites are dark, dangerous places, lol

This is hard because I tend to read books about worlds that are not very nice at all.

How old is your inside voice –
Never the same as my actual age. When I was 15, it was 30. When I was 30, it was 15. Go figure.

38

Favorite sex song –
See above.

Prince’s “Little Red Corvette”

If you could be a hero who would you be –
Isn’t it more interesting to pick which heroes I’d *do*? Except I guess that list would be miles too long…

Rhett Butler

What heroine is most like you –
Heroines are far more exciting than I will ever be.

I…have no idea.

What heroine would you like to be – Buffy again, for the same reasons above.

Scarlett O’Hara

Boxers, Briefs, boxer briefs, kilt (I say we add commando) –
Boxer briefs. It’s all about the thighs, man.

Boxer briefs followed by commando

Favorite book set on a tropical island –
I can’t remember any books that I’ve read set on a tropical island.

I don’t remember reading a book set on a tropical island, but my memory is basically swiss cheese these days. Maybe y’all could recommend a few for me?

What hero is most like your significant other –
He’s one of a kind.

Heh, I don’t know. I love my boy dearly, but he’s not a romance hero type. Maybe you could help me with this, too. What hero would make a sock monkey (sew it and everything) and then knit a cute little sweater for it for a Christmas present?

What hero would you like to be your significant other –
If I didn’t have my SO…Jamie Fraser.

Since Vivien gets to name Buffy as a favorite heroine, I’m going to take a page from her book and say Wesley Wyndam-Pryce.

If you were stuck on a desert island what 3 things would you bring –

A laptop with wireless and an endless battery life (because being disconnected from the Internet would probably kill me, lol), sunscreen because I turn into a lobster just 5 seconds in the sun.

The Riverside Shakespeare, because not only would I finally have time to read the whole thing cover to cover, but it’s big enough that I could use it as a weapon, if need be, and I could use it to smash coconuts. Some sort of power generator because I’ll need it. And my laptop so I could listen to music and write.

Favorite drink to bring to the DIK party –
I’m a bloody mary kind of gal.

Top shelf margarita, made with Cazadores tequila with a lovely shot of Grand Marnier. Man, I want one of those right now.