Happy Labor Day!

by Tawny

It's Labor Day here in the U.S.! Woot and happy celebrating to all who are, you know, celebrating.

Since I knew I would be chatting with you all today, and since I knew my brain would be a little fried from a super-busy weekend, over the last few days I asked everyone I talked to this question:

What's the first thing that come to mind when you hear Labor Day?

And these were the answers I got:

The end of summer.

No wearing white (tough tootles if you're getting married, eh?).

Barbeques.

Picnics.

Yard work.

Three-day weekend.

Having a baby, and taking all day to do it! (this was my daughter's answer. Ack.)

Back to school.

All good answers! Well, except maybe the giving birth answer. And while I *knew* that Labor Day was a day to celebrate the working people everywhere, I realized I was clueless about what it's actual purpose and origin were. According to the always-accurate (ahaha) Wikipedia, Labor Day became a national holiday in 1894 in response to an agreement between the government and the labor unions.

Huh, I had no clue. And now I know. But the first thing that comes to mind when I hear Labor Day? I think potato salad.

I always end up making my deliciously favorite potato salad for this holiday. Red potatoes and red onion, hard boiled egg and sweet pickles, Miracle Whip, mustard, celery seed and salt and pepper. It's so simple and so amazingly wonderful.

So here's my holiday question for you...

What's the first thing that comes to mind when you hear Labor Day?

And my second question is this...

Do you have a favorite potato salad recipe? Care to share?

I Blame Mercury!

by Tawny

Ooooh, boy, this has been one stressful month! And it's not even at the halfway point, yet - that scares me a little. There have been house stresses and kid stresses and writing stresses. You know, the usual life stuff. And I'm pretty good at (or immune to) rolling along with those stresses. But it's the technology stresses that wipe me out!

I'm blaming Mercury. The planet, not the element. Mercury went into retrograde on August 3. Now, please don't think me a fatalist who hands my world over to my horoscope, or someone who plans my life around the traveling of the stars. I don't. Usually things like this barely make a bleep on my radar. But this month... oh boy!

First my daughter's laptop went klaboom. It'd been on it's last legs for awhile and I'd tried various repairs, but it was beyond help at this point. Because we use the laptop for homeschool (most of our curriculum is computer based) her having a computer is mandatory. And I don't share mine, so it had to be either a new laptop, or giving her mine. I figured, hey, I use the iPad more than the laptop these days - mostly it's become a glorified backup for documents and photos. So I wiped the harddrive, loaded her school software and handed it over.

Then my computer started glitching. It would freeze. It would lose information. I began writing with the thumbdrive in the usb slot, backing up every couple of paragraphs... just in case. Needless to say this didn't do much for my writing production. My PC is 6 years old. Not aged by any means, but given the usage and the fact that I never turn it off (hey, it might not turn back on!) I figured I'd check with geeks smarter than I for advice. The advice? Start looking for a new computer.

That was another adventure. I finally decided on a laptop instead of a PC, but to get a docking station. This will, in theory, streamline my computing and make life easier and faster and better. We will see. Because the laptop is backordered and I won't have it until the end of the month.

sigh.

Then my website crashed. Bigtime crashed. It was having minor issues anyway, and my host suggested upgrading. Sure-go for it. Except the upgrade resulted in 2 weeks of stress and lack of website love. It's almost fixed. Or, at least, it's loading again which is a major improvement (and a credit to my awesome webchick, not to me or Mercury).

Okay. So, again, I'm not blaming the planet's retrograde for all my woes. Not really. But I am waiting to sign my new contract until after Mercury goes direct. No point in tempting fate, right?

So... whats your take on the sneaky influence of the planets? Do you check your horoscope? Is it ever right? And how about Mercury? Do you believe in the influence of a retrograde? And have you had any technological woes in the last 2 weeks??? It can't be just me!

Gardeny Goodness

by Tawny

It's no secret that I like to make things. Books, crafts, trouble... (okay, really I don't make trouble. I do tend to find it somehow, though). So I am so excited to have a garden this year. I'm making vegetables!! Or, at least, I am trying to make vegetables.

The first step was the wonderful raised garden bed my husband built for me. Isn't it pretty? I planted lettuce and tomatoes and squash and peppers and herbs and strawberries and so so much more.

I had high hopes. I planned for big, crunchy salads and strawberry shortcake and hot salsa and jars and jars of tomato yumminess. But despite my hopes, my wonderful large garden had a slow start. The plants weren't growing, the leaves were turning yellow. We had an abnormally rainy spring and very little warmth to make their little roots happy. Once my clever husband found the right fertilizer that made these little plants perk up, things started getting interesting. I've had two lovely salads, but that's about the extent of my gardenly goodness so far. I have hopes, though!!

But while I wait for my garden to grow, I was thrilled to see my plum tree overflowing with delicious fruit. Last year, we missed the bulk of the plums because, well... we didn't realize what we had LOL. And by the time we did, the dogs were snacking on fruit off the ground (and boy oh boy did they get tummy aches!) This year we were prepared, though. Some judicious pruning and a careful watch and we were there to harvest bags and bags of plummy goodness. I spent a few hours this week (okay, 4) making plum jam. I have plans to make another big batch, but have to get more jars. I've only done jam a couple times before, but have to say I love the the process!!

So even though I'm still waiting for my salsa and salad, I will be having yummy plum jam on my english muffin. And, better yet, I'll have a dozen or so cute little jars all ready to go for the darling Christmas baskets I'm planning.

So how about you? Are you a gardener? Do you love homemade goodness? Any suggestions on what to do with my multitude of plums? And do you think it's crazy to be planning Christmas gifts in July?

Rewards

by Tawny

I love rewards. I'm a fan of using bribes to get myself to work hard. M&M's are a regular staple on my desk, not just for tossing at my kids when I'm in the middle of a scene and can't be interrupted, but for that end of a page celebration. When I finish an entire book, I reward myself with a massage - which is both indulgent and necessary since I'm usually tied in knots by the time I hit 65k words. I reward myself --and commemorate-- each book contract with a new pair of shoes.

My kids love end of the school year rewards. It could be a trip to the beach, a day at the bookstore or just a cuddle on the couch movie day with popcorn, as long as we call it a reward. They love that acknowledgment of hard work (and believe me, my kids consider school lots of hard work worth acknowledging LOL) .

My husband considers the first day of the weekend his (as opposed to mine via a honey-do list) as a reward for working hard all week. He's pretty easygoing about changing that day around if necessary, but he does like at least 4 hours to just chill and unwind.

So I started thinking about rewards. Are they indulgences? I just said to my daughter tonight 'You can't be rewarded for every thing you do. Doing a good job is supposed to be it's own reward." But then I think about denying myself my own rewards and get a little pouty :-D

So what do you think? Are you a fan of rewards? Or do you think they are an overindulgence?

Bandita Booty

The winners of Tawny's copies of JUST FOR THE NIGHT are EllenToo and Tami Brothers. Ladies, if you'll drop me an email with your shipping info, I'll mail those books out to you right away.

Favorite Reading Habits

by Tawny

Like most of the Banditas and Bandita Buddies, I'm an avid reader. I adore books. Actually, I adore the written word on anything, from a book to a screen to the back of a box of cereal. I'll read them all.

But, over the years, I've developed some favorites in my reading.

• I prefer light over dark.
• I read more contemporary than historical.
• I like witches better than vampires.
• I love fantasy over SF, especially in YA.
• I lean towards sexy over sweet.
• I'm a fan of suspense, but no blood and gore.
• I'll pick characters over plot every time.

How about you? What are your reading preferences? Do you stick with the tried and true favorites?

And how do you choose which books to read? I have auto-buys that I grab as soon as they hit the bookstore, of course. And I read on recommendations from friends. I used to belong to a couple of the Harlequin book clubs, getting the entire line of Temptation and Duets each month. But I ignore reviews and haven't ever bought a book because of an ad, although I have because of a blog visit here in the Lair if the person was fun and their book sounded intriguing.

Do you have a book buying regime you stick with? How do you choose?

And how about when you read. Do you have to have an open space of time to read the book all the way through, or are you able to stop at the end of a chapter and pick up again later? I'm an addicted reader, so I will skip sleep to finish a book. But that doesn't stop me from starting a story when I know I don't have time, if I'm in the mood to read.

Do you read through? Or take breaks?

Aaaand, last but not least... Want a copy of my latest Blaze, JUST FOR THE NIGHT? I'll draw two names from today's comments to win copies :-)

Prizes!!

We have winners!! YAY and congrats to Artemis who's name was drawn to Virna DePaul's fabulous prize package.

And to BJ, Diane D - Florida and Louisa, who each won a copy of Tawny's release, JUST FOR THE NIGHT.

If you'll email Tawny with your shipping info, we'll get those prizes right out to you - and a big happy thank you to EVERYONE for hanging out with us!!!

Just For the Night... A Party

with Tawny

I'm so excited and ready to celebrate the release of my latest Blaze, JUST FOR THE NIGHT. This story is in the 24 Hours: Blackout series, which means there's a whole lot of dark for the hero and heroine to be trapped in together.

When I was brainstorming this story, I asked myself what would make being trapped with a hot, sexy guy a challenge. My answer? If that hot sexy guy was your ex, the guy you'd never gotten over but were still harboring a lot of anger and blame toward. And with that, Larissa and Jason's relationship was born.

Larissa is a romance expert. She writes a column for a hot sexy magazine offering advice on how to bring more romance into your life. She reviews romance novels, and she has very strong opinions on what is romantic... And what isn't.

Then there's Jason. His expertise? Sex. Jason's all about the bottom line. So much so that he shows up at a business meeting toting a Koteka - a wooden penis cover that's reputed to offer special sexual power to whoever is nearby. Hubba hubba!

These were some fun characters to come up with!!!

My next pondering was this... Nobody expects to be trapped in a blackout, but I needed to make sure my couple had the necessities to make sure they had a good, sexy time while locked up in a lush mall with each other. So what did I arrange for Larissa to take with her? A jar of hot fudge, a warm fuzzy blanket, and condoms. Hey... she had her reasons!!! And, best of all, she put all of those to good use :-)

Hopefully, my brainstorming and ponderings paid off to result in a fun, sexy story that readers enjoy. So I think it's time to celebrate. We need hunks, of course. And a tequila bar with 24 varieties of margaritas. To keep with the 24 theme, perhaps Keiffer Sutherland will join us? Sven is sending the cabana boys around with 24 different kinds of dessert, and we'll be partying for... yes, you guessed it, 24 hours.

We should, of course, have cake. Now, personally this cake makes me think of Donna and her feathers, so I thought it'd be a lot of extra fun to enjoy! There is a different flavor of deliciousness on each layer, so there's something for everyone.

So if you were trapped without power for 24 hours, what three things would you want with you, where would you be and who would you enjoy the experience with most?

I'll give away three copies of JUST FOR THE NIGHT to three lovely commenters today!

Making Out Like A Bandit (In More Ways Than One!)

An guest blog by Virna DePaul with Tawny Weber

Thank you so much to my friend Tawny Weber and all the Romance Bandits for having me here today. With my first debut novel, Chosen By Blood (A Para-Ops Novel) having just released, you can bet I’ve been doing a lot of promotion, and that includes a lot of blog writing. That’s why I hope you’ll indulge me as I do a post that’s a little different, just for fun.

10 Things I Love About The Hero Of My Debut Novel:

1. His name. Knox Devereaux. As sexy, sophisticated, and complex as he is…

2. His body. Actually, both of his bodies. His “normal” one, and the one it transforms into when he’s impassioned (by blood lust or just plain lust).

“Beneath his loose clothing, his muscles hardened and swelled. Knox grew taller, broader, not enough to rip his clothes but enough to make them strain their seams. He felt his fangs lengthen and knew from the sound of Lucy’s gasp that his eyes had shifted from silver to a demonic, glowing scarlet. Control slithered away and a primal growl vibrated in his throat.”

3. His loyalty to his clan.

4. His love for his family.

5. He’s a vampire.

6. His passion for the heroine.

“’There is no us,’ Felicia said sadly.

‘I refuse to accept that.

‘You desire me now, but you’re right—I have limited years on Earth. I need to live those years honoring what I believe. I don’t believe in—in what you’re asking me for. Besides,’ she reasoned desperately, ‘I’m just a passing fancy. When I’m gone, you’ll be glad—’

‘No.’ He growled and pulled her into his arms. She saw the terror that flashed in his eyes. ‘No.’ Before she could stop him, his mouth took hers. And it was exactly as she’d feared it would be.

Devastating.

His mouth took but it also gave. It plundered even as it cherished. His tongue rubbed hers, then retreated, mimicking a different dance and causing the music to swell even louder, until it obliterated everything but the moment.

It was heaven. The kind of heaven one only dreams about, especially when her life has been filled with fear and uncertainty and pain. The kind of heaven that a mortal can’t have.

She wrenched away and backed up, wiping her hand against her lips.

He was breathing roughly, his expression almost desperate. ‘You can’t run from this forever, Felicia.’”

7. His sense of humor.

8. He’s a bad ass.

“Knox returned his attention to Hunt, who not only met his stare head-on, but jerked his chin in challenge. ‘Might as well get it over with now,’ Hunt drawled.

Laughter, a sinister, chilling sound, tickled Knox’s throat.

Oh yeah, he thought.

Things were going to get a whole lot more fun before the day was through.

Knox took three lightning-quick steps toward Hunt, then froze. His nostrils flared as he caught her scent. A second later, he saw the woman standing just behind Hunt.

Felicia. What was she doing—

Before he could complete the thought, a heavy weight slammed into his chest, knocking the air out of him and propelling him off his feet. He didn’t stop until his body slammed into a wall on the other side of the room. Knox hit the ground. Stunned, but immediately moving into a crouch, he blinked as dust and plaster rained down on him, momentarily obstructing his vision. When it cleared, he saw Felicia wrestling with the

werebeast. And then he saw the werebeast shove her down.

With an enraged shout, Knox teleported so fast he caught her before impact. He lowered her, gently but swiftly, then almost instantly wrapped his fingers around Dex Hunt’s throat. Imagining that Hunt’s throat was an aluminum can, Knox squeezed.

Only one thought remained.

Kill the bastard who’d touched Felicia.”

9. His love for his father, the same father that was branded a traitor for telling humans how to kill vampires:

10. Uh, he’s a (Hot) VAMPIRE:

“Felicia grabbed his hand. It was dark out, almost too dark for him to see her, but she wasted no time in cupping her hand around his neck and pulling his head toward her. Not to her lips but to her neck.

‘Drink from me… I feel fine, Knox. I promise.’

He swallowed hard. Felt his mouth watering. “I’ll drink just a little. Just enough to . . .” Without another word, he gave in…Her taste filled his mouth, then his throat, then spread to every part of him…He felt the urge to suck her dry, to drink and drink and drink until every last drop of her was inside him...

Still, he forced himself to slow down, to suck softer, to pull back slightly. He felt his renewed strength, even with the small amount of blood she’d given him. He didn’t want to take too much—

She pushed his head down deeper, whispering for him to take as much as he wanted, and her full acquiescence was too much to fight. He might not need more of her blood, but he wanted it.

He gave himself over to his hunger. Planting his hands on her hips, he rubbed his body against her as he drew on her vein in long, languorous pulls. He lifted his hands to her breasts, cupping them. He felt the strong urge to leave her vein so that he could suck at her nipples.

That’s when he knew he would always be drawn to Felicia for who she was and not what she could give him.

He would always want her more than he wanted her blood.”

Virna DePaul is a former criminal prosecutor whose debut mass market paranormal romantic suspense novel, Chosen By Blood (Book 1 in the Para-Ops series), comes out May 3, 2011 by Berkley Books. In addition, Virna writes contemporary romantic suspense for Harlequin Romantic Suspense (Dangerous To Her, September 2011) and HQN (new series launching April 2012). Virna has also self-published several novels, including "A Vampire's Salvation," "This Magic Moment," and the "Red-Hot Cops" series under the name Ava Meyers. Visit her at www.virnadepaul.com.

Virna is giving away a Para-Ops tote filled chocolate, a Para-Ops mug, sunglasses, and my e-books, A Vampire’s Salvation, a paranormal vampire novella, This Magic Moment, a contemporary romance, and my craft book with Tawny Weber, Love Writing: A Guide To Writing and Getting Your Romance Novel Published (Without Losing Your Perspective, Passion Or Sanity).

Blurb of Chosen By Blood:

United by fate. Bound by desire.

Five years after the Second Civil War ends, humans and Otherborn— humanlike creatures with superhuman DNA—still struggle for peace. To ensure the continued rights of both, the FBI forms a Para-Ops team with a unique set of skills.

Leader of an Otherborn clan, half-breed vampire Knox Devereaux would do anything to find a cure for the anti-vamp vaccine slowly starving his people into extinction. When the FBI contacts him about leading a team of hand-selected Others on a mission to reclaim the stolen antidote, Knox accepts. His new assignment places him in direct contact with Special Agent Felicia Locke, the beautiful human he’s craved since their very first meeting.

In bookstores now and available on www.amazon.com!

My Toy Addiction

by Tawny

I'll admit it... I have a toy addiction.

Hey... not THAT kind of toy! (wait, what kind were YOU thinking?)

I have a techno toy addiction. I love technology. We have 4 people in our house. We have 1 PC, 4 laptops, 2 iTouchs, 3 iPods, a Nook and a half-dozen game systems. I am in love with the Kinect, but don't have one because, well, we just don't have the room to do it justice. But I do love the toys!

And yet, I just don't have enough.

Because I had to have the iPad 2. I had to. I mean, middle of the night cravings, obsessive researching, weekly 'is it out yet is it out yet is it out yet' checking on the 'net. I wanted one for my birthday, but that came and went, and they weren't out yet. Then the announcement came. March 11 at 5pm.

Woot! I debated ordering online because I could get free engraving, but I couldn't figure out what to have engraved -and my husband's suggestion of "Tawny's Crazy" just didn't feel right. Besides, online meant waiting at least an extra week to play with it.

So I went to the Apple store. On sale day. The line wrapped around the block and down another 3 by the time I arrived at 5:30. But thankfully, the line moved fast. Mostly because the nice guys who work at Apple kept walking down the length of the line, telling people what they'd sold out of, which culled quite a few of the prospective buyers.

By the time there were only a handful of a half-dozen people between me and my very own new toy, they were down to a single model left in only one color. The nice guys walked the line again, telling people that's all they had left. But people didn't seem to believe them. They figured once they got to the door, they'd magically have the model they wanted (what's up with that?).

Then this big guy came to the door and announced that there were 2 iPads left - only 2! There were still 4 people in front of me. He asked the first guy if he was there to buy. Nope, not that model. He asked the next guy. Um, he wasn't sure, he wanted to check it out and think about it. Next guy? He just stormed off. Then he looked at me. I waved my credit card!!

And in the store I went. I got the second to last iPad in the entire area, I got the last keyboard and the last red leather cover :-D I scored.

Ahhh, I love it!

Now, I never was one who waited in line for a Cabbage Patch doll or a Tickle Me Elmo. Nor was I the first to have most gaming systems (my brother is, though... which probably makes it easier for me not to be first, because I can just play with his). But when it comes to technology, I get to jonesing and just HAVE TO have it. HAVE TO!!! The Harry Potter books, I'll admit, I did wait in lines for, and always hit the midnight sale. But those are books :-D I'll do anything for books!!

How about you? Is there anything you've ever waited in line for hours for? Something you have to have as soon as it's out? What's your weakness?

Tawny's Winner

Thanks so much to everyone who came to party with me for the launch of BREAKING THE RULES! I tossed all the names in a hat, and Laurie Faelan's was drawn to win the Valentines package. Laurie, if you'll drop me an email with your shipping info and which of my backlist books (www.tawnyweber.com/books) you'd like, I'll get that mailed out to you right away :-) Tawny@TawnyWeber.com

Breaking the Rules Launch and Delicious Desserts

by Tawny

We’re coming up on Valentine’s Day and I’m celebrating the launch of my 10^th (OMGOMGOMG – TEN!!!) book release. So I do think it’s party time!

BREAKING THE RULES:

What do you get when you mix a military hero on a mission with an independent artist hell-bent on proving something? A battle that can only be won between the sheets.

Sophia Castillo is finally calling the shots in her life, and she’s determined to stay in charge. The last thing she needs is a babysitter. Not even a babysitter as sexy as US Army Sergeant First Class and EOD Squad Leader, Maximillian St. James. But when someone is sabotaging her art gallery, she turns to Max for help. When he proves to be a challenge to her independence, she lays down their relationship rules. Hot sex, good times and a lot of laughs are all good. Anything involving their hearts is strictly off limits. Before they catch the vandal, Max and Sophia both have to decide just which rules they are willing to break, and how high a price they are willing to pay.

So it’s time to party here in the Lair. And what better way to party than to have Sven man the bar, offering champagne, margaritas and chocolatinis. The cabana boys will be coming around with some special, romantic Valentines inspired desserts – because what better way to celebrate a February release than to tie it into the most romantic holiday of the year.

As our hunky boys make their rounds, here’s what they’ll be offering…

Tawny’s Top Ten Sexy Valentines Desserts

1. Four Layer chocolate mousse cake with ganache

2. Whipped cream. Just, you know, all fluffy and inviting there in a bowl.

3. Strawberries dipped in chocolate. They can visit the whipped cream bowl if you’d like.

4. Éclairs. I imagine eating an éclair like Lady and the Tramp ate spaghetti *g* Nibbling toward the middle together!

5. Tiramisu. Rich, decadent, delicious!

6. Brownie ala mode. Hot chocolate and cold ice cream. Oh my!

7. Flambe Cherries Jubilee. Ohhh, talk about inspiring flaming passion!

8. Caramel Rum Fondue. Dippable, lickable, pourable. So many possibilities.

9. Crème Brulee. Simply delicious, with its crispy sugary crust.

10. Gourmet Chocolate Truffles. Bite sized bits of sexy deliciousness.

Is your mouth watering yet? Mine is! I love dessert anytime, but sexy romantic desserts just have an extra layer of irresistibility.

Which dessert will you be indulging in (remember, all desserts served in the Lair are calorie free!) Is there a dessert you consider romantic, or think of for Valentine’s Day, that isn’t included here? Just mention it and one of our sexy servers will make it happen for you!!!

To celebrate the release of BREAKING THE RULES, I’m giving away some Valentine’s treats to one lucky commenter today! A hand-crafted (by me) heart-shaped tin filled with candy, and a book of the winner’s choice from my backlist!

Be sure and check out my upcoming party!

Valentines Party!

I’m so excited that my tenth release, BREAKING THE RULES, is on shelves now! I loved writing this story, because it focuses on something near and dear to my heart – a Military Hero (my own hero-hubby was in the Army). Even more fun was making this a Valentine’s story, complete with hearts and flowers.

To celebrate, I’m having an invitation-only Valentine’s Day Party! Including:

* A downloadable short story written just for this party as a door prize for everyone who attends

* A sexy Top Ten to wind up my Top Ten tour: Ten Tips for a Hot Valentine’s Night

* One lucky person will win a Valentine’s Basket!

All you have to do to join the fun is go to the Breaking the Rules Valentines Party page on my website, and let me know you’d like an invitation!

An Afternoon Fantasy

by Tawny

Happy 2011!!! We're almost halfway through the first month of the new year, and time is steadily rolling along, isn't it? And if you stop and put your hand to your ear and listen closely, you'll hear thousands of resolutions breaking LOL.

I always think that January should be that time of taking a sigh and relaxing after the craziness of the holidays. And I'm always surprised that it's twice as hectic and busy for me as the previous couple of months were. Probably because of all the tasks I put off during the holidays that I now have to catch up on.

So while I am running around like a crazed headless chicken, I started fantasizing (go figure). Yes, a few Johnny Depp fantasies fluttered through my head. And I had a couple of dreamy shoe thoughts, but for the most part, my fantasies focused on relaxation. Not even a week of relaxation (nope, don't have that kind of time to spare) or even a weekend (Oh, I wish, but can't) but instead, a single afternoon of relaxation.

One. Single. Afternoon. Oh joy!!!

My fantasy involved a luxurious spa afternoon, complete with a decadent dessert, a serene massage and a long nap.

If you had a single afternoon of relaxation - it could be anything or anywhere (desert island, cruise ship, castle, spa) with anyone (except Johnny Depp. He's mine *g*) doing anything (Oh my oh my oh my!) - what would your fantasy afternoon include?

COOOOOOOKIES!!!! and Prizes

On The Second Day of Christmas...

...the Bandits gave to.....

Lis3182

through the time honored use of the handy-dandy random number generator, Lis3182 was chosen as the winner of the second day's Bandita goodies. Merry Christmas and thanks to EVERYONE who talked cookies with me!!

Lis3182, please send us your mailing info to romancebandits@gmail.com and we'll send you your lovely prize ;-)

COOOOOOOKIES!!!!

by Tawny

It's Cookie Month. Maybe that's not what the calendar says. Maybe that's not even any official designation for this month. But in my house... It's Cookie Month.

Cookies for making, cookies for decorating. Cookies for giving, cookies for eating. Cookies for Santa, cookies for Dad (lots and lots of cookies for Dad!).

So here's my top 5 fave cookies for this time of year - and my absolute least fave:

1. Holiday shaped, decorated sugar cookies
2. Gingerbread
3. Peanut butter blossoms
4. Florentines
5. Rugelach

And my least favorite (but somehow we end up with them all the time anyway - it's a tradition, after all):

1. Mexican Wedding cookies

How about you? what are your favorite holiday cookies? And your least favorite?

It's FINALLY here! The Romance Bandits 12 Days of Christmas Booty! Every day between now and Christmas, one lucky commenter per day will win a daily prize and on some days, additional goodies from that day's blogging Bandita or guest. On Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, we'll give away bigger prizes, including autographed books, GR mugs and much more! Come join us! Tell your friends! Let's make the Season BRIGHT!

Whoohooo - It's Party Time!!

by Tawny

I'm so ready to celebrate the holidays!! I love this time of year. All of it- the baking, the crafts, the gift wrapping, the pretty lights and the fabulous music. I'm a sucker for a holiday movie and a sap over anything wrapped by a kid. I adore the whispered secrets and have been known to get teary eyed over watching my kids decorating cookies with my husband's questionable help.

And this year, I'm celebrating a little bit extra. I am so excited to have a holiday story out, it's like that extra sparkle of tinsel on the tree for me.


A BABE IN TOYLAND Excerpt:

He could barely see her through the crowd. Bikers were shoulder to shoulder with what looked like bankers from the S&L on the corner. Mixed in were a few gals with huge hair that he suspected worked at the beauty salon in the mall.

“What the hell...” He stared, slack jawed, as Rita waved her hand, all game-show-hostess like, over the array of vividly colored items spread across the tailgate of his truck.

“What the hell are these?” she clarified, stepping around two blondes to greet him.

Even knowing he was no better than one of Pavlov’s pups, Tyler’s gaze swept over her face, now pinup girl exotic. Her hair, still in a ponytail, but she’d done something to make it look like all fifties-movie-star flirty. She was still in the same jeans she’d worn earlier, but she’d replaced her red puffy jacket with a black studded leather one.

Tyler’s mouth watered.

“These are toys,” she said. It took him five seconds and the direction of her pointing finger to remember the question.

“Toys.”

“Sex toys.”

“I realize they’re sex toys. Why are they here? Now? On my truck?” He stared, fixated, on a foot long, neon green monstrosity with a head—an actual face—of a dinosaur.

Her laugh was all it took to rip his gaze from the freakish dildo and back to her face. She ran her tongue over her upper teeth, to hide a smirk, he was sure.

“I see you’re interested in the T-Sex. The dinosaur of dildos,” she explained, sounding like a TV commercial hawking a new model car. “Guaranteed to make your woman roar with pleasure.”

“What...”

“What am I doing with them? Selling them, of course,” she said, indicating the little slips of paper she’d tucked underneath each toy. He squinted, seeing she’d not only written up descriptions, but detailed sex and position suggestions along with the asking price.

Tyler was grateful the icy wind was there to cool his cheeks before the heat became apparent.

Didn’t matter, though. Rita, probably having a special radar for that kind of thing, chuckled.

She leaned forward and gave his cheek a soft pat. The smooth touch of her fingers making him want to grab her wrist and nibble his way up her arm.

“Don’t worry, big boy,” she purred. “You can have first dibs. I’ll even give you a good-driver discount.”

The only thing that kept Tyler from grabbing her by that tiny waist, tossing her in the bed of the truck and showing her just exactly how good he could drive was the six-and-a-half-foot biker in studded leather who’d tapped her on the shoulder and asked the price of a set of candy cane styled nipple rings.

And that, my friends, is the beginning of true love :-)

To celebrate the release of A BABE IN TOYLAND and IT MUST HAVE BEEN THE MISTLETOE, and because the holiday season just screams for a little extra fun - I'm having a contest trio. One contest on my website, one contest on my Facebook page and another for my newsletter. You can check them out --and enter any and all if you'd like --on my blog December first. But... that's not enough, is it? How about we kick it up even more and I'll give away three copies of IT MUST HAVE BEEN THE MISTLETOE to three commenters today! To win, all you have to do is check out NAUGHTY IS NICE, my free read over on eHarlequin, and tell me in the comments which character is your favorite :-)