Throwback Thursday

My father worked a sabbatical year at the University of Heidelberg from August 1976 to July 1977. And I have so many neat memories from that year, starting with the boat that we took to get there.

It was a cruise-liner running under the Polish flag called the Stephan Batory (and I can't believe I found a wiki-link for it!)

I remember so many things about being on the boat and it was an amazing way to start this adventure. We went from Montreal to Southampton to Hannover in twelve days. I was ten at the time and from the moment we stepped on the boat, I had a freedom I'd never had before. Because there was nowhere to go but the boat, my folks had no problem letting me go off and do stuff on my own.

There were only two other children among the passengers, but I had plenty of fun with them, and without them.

Before we'd even left port, I discovered the ping pong table on the uppermost deck and was playing ping pong against one of the other kids. We got to do that for a while because we were three hours late in leaving. It turned out we were so late because the queen's ship was coming in, bringing her to Montreal for the summer Olympics and we had to wait for her to pass because, you know, the queen.

When we finally did get underway, I was leaning over the rail on that uppermost deck and wow, it was high. The boat's horn went off right behind me and I nearly went over the rail I jumped so hard at the sound. I then plastered myself to the wall behind me and wouldn't go near the railings until the next day.

My father got seasick right from the start and it didn't let go until he was back on dry land. He spent most of his days in a deck chair under a blanket and will tell you he loved every moment of it. It was fresh and clean and relaxing.

We saw an iceberg on our way out of the St-Laurence gulf and it was really close. 

There were several bars and everything non-alcoholic was free, so I would go and ask for a coke and get a bottle to drink whenever I wanted. I could sit and drink it there, or take it with me.

There were movies every night in their large cinema and the only night I missed was the first night we hit the ocean - I was sick that evening, but soon got my sea legs.

There was a pool that the weather was only nice enough for them to fill a few times. The most fun time was actually when they'd only filled it about a foot or so. The water would splash from one side to the other with the movement of the ship and you could sit on the bottom (it was about ten feet deep) and one moment there'd be no water where you were, then it would all come rushing and smash against you, be up to your neck, and then rush away again.

I played a lot of chess during those ten days. There was a chess room with twenty or so chess boards and I'd play against the grown-ups because my father had taught me how to play once checkers had grown boring. For hours I'd sit and play with one opponent after another - whoever won would stay at their table and everyone else would move around. 

The dining room had two sittings and we were at the first for all three meals. For a ten year old who'd rarely got to go to a restaurant, this was an amazing experience. There were choices for all three meals and I could pick anything I wanted from the menu. I had my first bilini on the boat, and I had it most days for breakfast. Pancakes were a special occasion meal and I was getting it every day! 

Even just sitting on the deck with my father was fun. It was a grand experience.


Sean
smut fixes everything

Shifter Rescue: Scales now available!

I've started a new series with Changeling Press. This one is all about rescuing shifters of all kinds. The first kind? A dragon shifter!

Shifter Rescue: Scales

Sometimes life gives you something magical - if Drill can rescue a dragon that is.

The Old Tavern Club is a front for a shifter rescue organization. The BDSM club works well in keeping the owner's true purpose secret, but when Pirou makes an unusual rescue, it might just be beyond the clubs prevue. So he calls in Drill, the owner's brother.

Drill has never even heard of a dragon shifter before, much less seen one, yet that's exactly what the beast in the club's basement looks like. As he works with the dragon, he finds all his instincts insisting that this is the sub he's been looking for.

Can Drill and the dragon rescue a happy ending for themselves?

It's currently available at Changeling Press at a 15% discount of the regular price!

There is an excerpt on the Changeling site here, but of course I need to share a smutty excerpt, too!


Smutty Excerpt:

Suddenly, like he’d imagined, there stood his dragon in man form, his lover.

Laughing, Drill held open his arms. Az leapt at him, totally unafraid. He caught the slender body easily, their mouths meeting. Az’s skin was cool, oddly refreshing against him. Az’s mouth was hot, though, as Drill slipped his tongue between the blue lips.

Drill slid his hand down Az’s back and cupped the sweet rounded ass. It fit perfectly in his palm. He was a bit dry-mouthed, actually, at how well they fit and how good it felt to touch Az.

He squeezed Az’s ass, sliding his fingers along the hot crack.

“Keeper?”

“Yes, Az?” He stroked the hot line of flesh.

“Such unusual touches.”

He took Az’s hand and brought it to his chest. “Show me what touches you would find usual.”

Az hugged him, then petted Drill’s belly, over and over. It felt good, but it was very limited. Drill was overjoyed by how much he had to teach Az about lovemaking.

“I have so much to show you, Az. So many wonderful unusual touches.” Drill couldn’t wait to get started.

“Unusual touches.” Az sounded so pleased.

“They will become familiar, I swear.”

Az’s touches went on and on, Az stroking him, fingers trailing along his arm. Drill put his hand back on Az’s ass, stroking and moving his fingers back to Az’s sweet crack. Az’s sounds were delicious, low and fascinating, and Drill continued stroking, barely touching Az’s hole. Az wiggled, moving side-to-side, shifting against his finger.

“You like that, hmm?” Drill asked. Az was a natural sub, and eager for it, too.

“Unusual wonderful.”

That made Drill laugh with delight.

“Oh, my keeper’s laugh…” The thin blue cock filled, Az obviously entranced.

Smiling, Drill touched the long cock with one finger, sliding it from the bottom to the tip.

“Oh.” Az blinked, his own touch following behind, blue fingers on blue flesh.

“Feels good, doesn’t it?” Drill did it again.

“Uh-huh.” Az was staring, obviously dazed.

“Have you never had an orgasm, Az?”

Sean

smut fixes everything

Wednesday Book Day

Growing up, reading books was just something we did. My parents put books in my crib in the mornings so when I woke up at some ungodly hour, I would be entertained for a while, so they got to sleep in. My mother tells a story of a neighbour being amazed that I was sitting in the yard and reading at such a young age (I was around two at the time). My mom didn't have the heart to tell the neighbour that I had memorized all the words because the book had been read to me about five million times.

We only had a tiny black and white TV until I left home - my parents only went to colour when it their old black and white finally broke down and it was going to be way more to replace the tubes in it than to buy a brand new one. Our activity in the evening after supper, once homework was complete was to sit in the living room, each of us absorbed in our own books rather than watch anything on our old black and white no cable television.

My parents were not fantasy and science fiction readers (they still aren't), so that wasn't the kind of books I had on hand. Growing up I devoured the Agatha Christies and the contemporary fiction they had, and of course went often to the library. I don't know how old I was when I discovered Z for Zachariah, but at that point I was hooked. And post-apocalyptic fic is still my number 1 favorite. The Hobbit was my first fantasy book followed by Lord of the Rings and then a host of Piers Anthony books and then everything I could lay my hands on.

All through my teen years and beyond fantasy and sci-fi were my bread and butter books, the ones I took out from the library, the ones I bought at the store, the ones I devoured.

It makes me wonder, though, if I had never read Z for Zachariah or the Hobbit, would mysteries still be my favorite genre? How much of an influence do the books that we read in our younger years have over us as adults? I know one of my favorite TV genres are the cop shows. Is that because I grew up with Encyclopedia Brown and Agatha Christie?

My folks didn't read as much horror as other genres (or maybe they just didn't let me find those to read until I was older) but I found my first Stephen King while working as a shelver at the library and checked out everything they had by him. A lot of the books I read in my later teens were picked up while shelving at the library. I was supposed to be emptying my cart by putting the books away where they belonged on the shelves, but a lot of them wound up in my own personal check it out pile.

I have about forty boxes full of books in the basement that I know I should probably go through and keep only the ones I love the most or haven't read yet and give the rest away, but just the thought of giving away books makes my stomach clench. I have always dreamed of having a room as a library in my home, with wall to wall to wall to wall shelves where I could put all my books. And while I'm an avid TV watcher (I blame the fact that we watched next to no television growing up) if you pushed me and said I had to choose between television and books, I would have to go with books.

This rambling post about reading in general is brought to you by the letter R and the fact that I couldn't think of a specific book or books that I wanted to chat about. I need summer to be over, then I should have a brain again.

Happy Humping Day!
Sean
smut fixes everything

Movie Tuesday

Saw two movies this weekend (one right after the other in fact) that we had on Blu-Ray. Insurgent and Jupiter Ascending.

The neat thing is that while I could say they were very similar types of movies, they were also very different.

Insurgent is the follow up to Divergent. I liked the first movie better, but still enjoyed Insurgent. I figured out the meaning of the box right off the bat, and the movie was slow in places, but on the whole it was good. But what is it about heroines of YA books being so moody and pouty?

Jupiter Ascending was more slick sci-fi and had some great gadgets and great effects. And while I've always thought Chaning Tatum had a great body, I didn't otherwise get his appeal, I have to say that he was hot in this movie. I think it was the facial hair. And Sean Bean was in this movie! That in itself is not surprising, the man is in a LOT of movies. What is surprising is that he didn't die in this one. Good for you, Mr. Bean! Also, Jupiter, the main character in the movie had a certain amount of snark that I enjoyed greatly.

So both were decent movies that entertained me for a couple hours.


Sean
smut fixes everything

My God It's Monday

Again. Bah.

I lost most of Saturday to not feeling great. Yesterday I got a lot accomplished at a fairly gentle pace. But in the end, I really feel like I want another day. Or twelve. Or twenty ;)

It's not quite as hot as it was at the end of July, but I'm so ready for the summer to be over. Give me cold mornings and not too hot days, followed by colder mornings and cold days and then lots of snow! Yeah, I might be looking forward to the fall and winter.

So Mondays are hard and harder in the summer.

And if I don't post this now, it won't be Monday anymore!

Happy rest of the week everyone.


Sean
smut fixes everything

Coming Soon - New in the Next Two Weeks

I have three new books coming out over the next two weeks!

First up is the start of a new series with Changeling Press called Shifter Rescue.

Shifter Rescue: Scales

Sometimes life gives you something magical - if Drill can rescue a dragon that is.

The Old Tavern Club is a front for a shifter rescue organization. The BDSM club works well in keeping the owner's true purpose secret, but when Pirou makes an unusual rescue, it might just be beyond the clubs prevue. So he calls in Drill, the owner's brother.

Drill has never even heard of a dragon shifter before, much less seen one, yet that's exactly what the beast in the club's basement looks like. As he works with the dragon, he finds all his instincts insisting that this is the sub he's been looking for.

Can Drill and the dragon rescue a happy ending for themselves?

Available on August 14 from Changeling Press.


After that will be the next in the Sealed With a Kink series. Following the pattern of three kinks in a row all beginning with the same letter, this one is Bondage.

SWAK: Bondage

Gage and Davey are a Master and sub pair who love each other very much and are committed to each other and their lifestyle.

As a pediatric nurse, Davey sees a lot of pain and suffering and some days are harder than others. Gage can help Davey through those days, but he’s aware that one of his best tools isn’t at his disposal.

Gage knows the power of bondage, but a bad experience in his youth has left Davey terrified of the ropes and being left alone, bound and vulnerable.
Can Gage help Davey work through his fears and teach his boy to love the ropes?

Look for SWAK: Bondage on August 19 at Resplendence Publishing.

And in two weeks from today I've got a book in the Amber PAX collection featuring military men. This one will be available on its own, or at a discount as a part of the PAX collection.

Finding the Way Home

The last thing Sargent James Miller expects when he gets home from a long stint in the hospital after losing his right arm to an IED blast is a strange man answering his door after his keys don’t open the lock. That’s what happens though, and he’s just happy that he can count on his old platoon buddy Horse to have his back, and a spare bedroom he can use until he gets on his feet.

Horace Grundy the third, Horse to anyone who doesn’t want to get their ass kicked, is retired and has a tidy little house on the beach he calls home. The place isn’t big, but he figures there is plenty of room for James, even if he has always fancied the man.

The two of them fit together well and soon the roommates become more. James’ past isn’t ready to let go of him yet, though, and they’re caught off-guard when the man who dumped James in the first place suddenly re-appears in his life.

Can their new relationship weather the storm?

Look for it on August 23 at Amber Allure.

Sean 

smut fixes everything

Smutterday - Seeing Love

Love the cover for Seeing Love so much, I put it on the background of the blog! This one is a sweet tale.

Seeing Love

Kay can see. Barney can't. Which is why Barney's brother hired a scrawny street kid to help his brother out. That and to get Kay off the street. Who would have ever thought an older, distinguished guy like Barney could fall for him? Not Barney's business associates or Barney's ex. Kay has a pretty hard time believing it himself, even if he loves Barney with all he has. Can these two find enough common ground? 

Seeing Love is available at All Romance Ebooks and Amazon.

smutty excerpt:

Barney hugged him tightly to the long body. "I would give you anything you wanted, you know that, yes?"

"I only want..." His cheeks heated and he buried his face in Barney's shoulder. He shouldn't. He was a street rat, a whore, a nothing. Barney was real and rich and smart. Barney couldn't... not with him.

Barney's hand reached for his face, fingers moving over his features. "What, Kay? Please, tell me what you want."

His eyes filled with tears and he kissed Barney's fingers. "You. But I can't 'cause I'm low rent, you know? And you should have someone cool with you, someone tall and sexy and smart, you know? Not a skinny whore."

"You want me?" Barney's voice was soft, wavering slightly. "Oh, Kay... I've wanted you for so long, but I've always thought... I could never ask because I didn't want you to think it was just because you used to sell... May I kiss you?"

He looked up, blinking, lips open in shock. He nodded against Barney's hand for a second before gasping, "Yes. Yes, Barney. Please."

Barney bent down, using the clever fingers to find his mouth. Sweet and soft, Barney's lips slid along his. Kay moaned, lips parted. He loved this kiss, so gentle, so warm, so full of promises. Barney turned, one hand sliding behind his head and tilting it slightly so that their kiss deepened, their tongues sliding together. The other hand continued its gentle stroking over him, fingertips sliding against the soft material of the robe. He found the place where their bodies fit together, fingers stroking through Barney's hair. There was a slow heat building inside him, delicious and sweet and new.

One of Barney's fingers slid against his neck along the collar of the robe and Barney cried out. "Oh. So much softer than the robe, Kay. Your skin is like silk, but warm and alive."

Oh...

He couldn't have blushed darker if he'd tried.

Without thinking or worrying, Kay reached for Barney's hand, put it on the tie of his robe. He was naked underneath, warm and clean. Barney moaned, fingers working the tie open, another moan flooding their kiss as those fingers stuttered over his skin.

Warm hands slid over his belly, stroking slowly up along his ribs. "So very soft, Kay. So warm and lovely."

"I'm warm because of you, Barn. You keep me warm." He was almost breathless, gasping as Barney's hands made him ache and want and tingle.

"Touch me, Kay? Please?" Barney's hand moved slowly up to his nipples stroking across them.

He reached out, hand sliding over hot, smooth skin, tracing a slow circle around Barney's bellybutton. 

"Oh..."

Kay pushed closer, moaning, licking at Barney's lips. 

"Oh... yes. Kay. Please..."

Sean

smut fixes everything