Happy Birthday to Me… Where’s my Chocolate?

By Mary Quast

Today is my birthday. No need to throw a humongous party for me. Over the years I’ve become cheap and easy.  That is, one doesn’t have to spend a lot of money on me and I’m easy to please.  

Many birthday’s my dear hubby is in another country and I’ve entertained myself or with the help of our three boys. My 30th, I was pregnant with #1 and enjoyed a hot bubble bath and a steamy book while drinking cranberry juice from a wine glass. My 40^th was spent getting a new hair cut while #3, a toddler at the time, played at my feet. One birthday, the guys took me to McDonalds for breakfast before school. Handmade cards and gifts are dear to my heart but I love when the guys involve chocolate.

With kids and hubby’s schedule, the challenge of finding the right moment for romance can be interesting. I’ve found love notes on my pillow, dark chocolate covered strawberries and flowers strategically placed around the house. Hubby even made a batch of chocolate milk bath for me to soak my weary body in. My favorite way to celebrate is hubby cooking one of his to-die-for meals followed by anything decadent. (Sometimes the decadent part comes after the boys are in bed.) The fine dinner with wine then some cuddling on the couch while a fire crackles in the fireplace is heavenly.

Today I’m dreaming of a backrub at bedtime, more wine and maybe chocolate syrup, whipping cream and silk scarf… Hey, we age like fine wine – the older we get, the better we are.  If anyone is celebrating a birthday this month, have a great one and have some romantic fun!

I don’t know what the day has in store for me but I’m sure it will be wonderful.  However, it better involve dark chocolate!

When this Michigan author is not busy writing contemporary erotic romance for Decadent Publishing, Mary doles out sensual tips and yummy eye candy on her blog “Romantic Interludes”.

Website: http://maryquast.com

Email:  maryquast@gmail.com

Blog: http://maryquast.blogspot.com/

Twitter: @MaryQuast

Happy Birthday to Me!

by Olivia Starke

(No, that’s not me btw. I don’t look nearly as good in pink tulle.)

Today is my 36^th birthday, a commemorative day in world history. Bloody hell why?you may ask. Because for ONE we survived that whole Mayan Calendar thing (enjoy your 2051 rolls of toilet paper suckers! I invested that money wisely on Beanie Babies, those suckers will come back into vogue soon and I’ll make a fortune!)

Lots of interesting things happened on this day in history, and I’ve dug some out to present to you! Calm down now, I can hear your war whoops of excitement over the sound of my own. No, wait, that’s the four dogs barking like rabid idiots because a cat sneezed on the porch.

1620: 103 Mayflower pilgrims land at Plymouth.

1970:  John Lennon releases an album that contains songs with the word f*ck.

Okay, short list, but other than blah blah king being arrested, blah blah bank starting/closing, that’s it. So December 11^th isn’t monumental—being nestled snuggly between Thanksgiving here in the U.S. and Christmas day, can you blame it?

But it’s an honest day, my day to celebrate my arrival into this world, kicking and screaming in protest. An icy winter day where Mom almost had to deliver me herself—Dad would’ve passed out. And I was kind enough to give my mother a hard 20 minutes of labor before I popped out. I was a freakishly long baby, squished inside a tiny woman, so I imagine it being something like a spring uncoiling with a loud *POP* at the end.

So enough of my ramblings, I’m giving away a free ecopy of one of Decadent releases! To be entered, leave your email and a comment!

Blind since childhood, Sierra is satisfied with her success as a relationship therapist. Contacting 1Night Stand is an outlet for her physical needs, or so she tells herself. When she meets Daniel, the chemistry is definitely there, but a single parent with a child has the terrifying potential to disrupt her orderly life.

After losing his wife in a fire three years before that left him terribly scarred, Daniel has focused on raising his young daughter and little else. Meeting Sierra through 1Night Stand is a way to step back into the world. And he definitely can’t deny the instant attraction.

Madame Evangeline has a sweet surprise for them as they discover one another…