In eleven days, I turn 40.

In ten days, Prime Passions comes out at LSB, an anthology I’m in with the marvelously talented Bonnie Dee and Veronica Wilde. All of our stories are erotic romances between older women and younger men.

Today, I find myself fascinated with this whole new freedom in appreciating these kinds of relationships.

The older/younger dynamic is hardly new. The difference is, in the past, it’s always been an older man with a younger woman. Nobody batted an eye when 58-year-old Fred Astaire wooed 28-year-old Audrey Hepburn in the classic film, Funny Face. Yet, turn it around, and all of a sudden, you’ve got the Mrs. Robinson effect, the predatorial older woman preying on an innocent young man.

Thankfully, though, the stigma is disappearing. Hallelujah! Finally, women are being allowed freedoms to date who they want, regardless of age. I’ve always thought my mom set a wonderful example as I was growing up. After my parents divorced, all of the serious relationships she had were always with younger men. “If we have fun together, who cares what anybody thinks?” she told me, time and time again. And she was right.

There are even successful partnerships in the media to show off that it can work. Susan Sarandon and Tim Robbins. Demi Moore and Ashton Kutcher. Juliet Mills and Maxwell Caulfield. Together for years and still sexy. They are proof that romance and love aren’t about age. It’s about compatibility and respect. It’s about passion and fun. It’s about…okay, really hot sex, lol.

There are blurbs and excerpts for all three stories over at the LSB forum, but I’m going to share a new one here from mine, “A Spark of Snow.” Just something a little sexy…

*****

EXCERPT

If ever there was a time to call a halt to their game and escape with her dignity intact, this was it. Just the weight of his appreciation made her tingle, from her scalp to her nipples, from her clit to her toes. He wasn’t even touching her anymore except where she had him pinned, and still, she felt him–hot, demanding, unable to be ignored.

But he’d made a point earlier, whether he realized it or not. She didn’t think of him as a kid. Not anymore, if she ever really did after that first breakfast. He was just an amazingly sexy guy who pushed all her buttons. They were both adults who wanted each other. She wasn’t breaking any rules or laws by being with him for a few fantastic hours.

Her hands went to her waist. Grabbing the hem of her thick sweater, Rachel peeled it off and tossed it onto the couch. Tod’s eyes widened, then darkened, and his chest heaved as he took a deep breath and met her gaze again.

“God, you’re beautiful,” he murmured. Carefully, he caught one of her wrists and tugged. “Come here.”

She fell forward. Her already sensitive nipples scraped over his hard chest, and she moaned at the added sensation. She wanted her bra out of the way. She wanted all of their clothes out of the way. She wanted to feel the ripple of his body against hers, flesh to flesh, skin to skin, and find out if he got as enflamed because of her as she did for him.

Her hair slipped over her shoulder to hang in a curtain that tickled across his cheek. He didn’t brush it away, but instead slid his palm up her bare arm, along her collarbone, to touch the soft hollow of her throat. Lifting his head, he skimmed his lips over the very same path in reverse, ending with a kiss to her palm. As she watched, Tod traced her life line with the tip of his tongue and bit at the side of her hand before letting her go again.

“I take my shirt off for you and you kiss my hand.” Rachel bent to lick her own trail along his skin. Her mouth watered with each inch of salt she tasted along his stubbled jaw. “I’m not sure if I should be impressed or insulted.”

“I’m savoring.” He stroked her back. It wasn’t until she shifted against his chest that she realized he’d managed to undo her bra without her noticing. “You’re not in some kind of rush, are you?”

She was, and she wasn’t, but there was no way she could make that kind of choice right now. Her straps hung limply from her upper arms, and Tod’s caresses now dared to go sideways, tracing the swells of her breasts where they were crushed against him. Rachel groaned, rubbing over him, but it was nowhere near enough friction. Though it killed her to do it, she tore her mouth away from his neck and sat up, their bodies separating as she braced against his stomach.

“How about we get some more of these clothes out of the way?” she said. “I showed you mine. It’s your turn to show me yours.”

He curled one of the straps around his finger and tugged it down her arm, exposing her the rest of the way. “Now you’ve showed me.” He traced the hardened peak, making it tighten even more. “But I’ve got to sit up if we’re going tit for tat.”

“I think that’s doable.”

Sliding back onto his thighs, Rachel fisted his pullover and yanked until he was upright. She knocked his hands out of the way when he tried to take it off himself. That was her privilege.

The muscles were as defined as she expected, ridge after ridge of abdominals that made her want to push him back down and trace the lines with her tongue. Later, she promised herself. Because the chest that came next was just as delectable–small, flat nipples, enough of a patch of dark hair between them for her to curl her fingers into. He helped by lifting his arms, though he shifted to lean back against the couch for balance. Biceps too large for her to span tensed and flexed before settling again at his sides.

“What was that about beautiful?” She could finally lean forward and feel him skin to skin. They both sighed at the first contact. “It’s a good thing I didn’t see these before I pinned you. I might have been too intimidated to try.”

Tod wrapped his arms around her, one hand splayed over the top of her ass, the other knotted in her hair. “Doubtful,” he muttered, but then even that was lost as he devoured her mouth.

*****

What do you think about the older woman/younger man dynamic? Is it a crazy idea, or is it about time the double standard is finally being seriously questioned? Inquiring minds want to know!

For the past two weeks technology has waged war against me. I wanted to fight back but didn’t quite know how, and didn’t that make me feel stupid.

We recently bought a new computer to replace the workhorse we purchased in 1998. Yes, the old gal still works but hanky noises keep erupting from her innards, making me nervous. So we designed the best system we could without having to take out a secong mortgage (as if we could these days). This machine might also be a workhorse–if it lives up to its sister’s reputation. Classified as a good set-up for gamers (which we aren’t), we figured it might also serve us well while we’re writing and managing our home business.

Honest to Pete, I hardly know how to do anything on it. First off, we’re running Vista, so I have to look up even the simplest Word and Excel commands, things I used to be able to do in my sleep. Then we have the Media Center, which is supposed to allow us to tape TV shows and download them onto DVD. Making the DVD worked once, but neither of us can do it again. We have a wireless mouse and router—which work just fine as long as the machine’s plugged into the router and the receiver for the mouse sits right in front of it. The wireless keyboard never did work properly. Half the time the earphones and speakers don’t do well.

This isn’t a no-name, cheap computer we bought out of the back of someone’s trunk, mind you. I’m sure if my skills and knowledge weren’t so old (meaning from last year) I’d know how to handle some of this. As it is, I spend a good bit of time feeling frustrated and behind the eight ball. It’s enough to make a girl yearn for a Sanyo calculator and typewriter–and if you’re old enough to know what they are, you understand where I’m coming’ from.

And it isn’t only the computer whopping up on me lately. My phone took it to mind to give up the ghost for a day earlier this week. The other night I couldn’t get a book to download to my eBook wise reader. Even the tape machine–yes, an “old” VHS–ate my tape a few days ago. The full moon of technology has been following me around. And I’m sick of it, do you hear me?? I’m damn sick of it and I’m not gonna take it anymore!!!

*Deep breath* Thanks for letting me vent. I feel better. But be warned computer, recorder, phone, reading device. If you all keep acting up, I still have daddy’s 12-guage double-aught thirty… and I know how to use it.

Wishing you days of technology happiness, friends!

*This is part II in my “Nerd is the New Sexy” series. See previous installments here and here. *

Today kicks off the first stop in my Nerd Appreciation Month.

Who Is The Nerd Next Door? Whether he’s the shy guy at your office, the boy next door, or an awkward but lovable, super-powered Kansas farm boy, this nerd archetype is definitely more than meets the eye.

Why We Love Him: Don’t let the pocket protector fool you. What this nerd lacks in fashion sense he more than makes up for with his understated sex appeal, witty comebacks, and intelligence. He’s your best friend and confidant, always able to cheer you up. He’s down to earth and charming in an offbeat and sometimes quirky way.

Here are my top picks for the Hot Nerd Next Door on television:

ZACHARY LEVI (Chuck Bartowski, NBC’s Chuck)

Zachary Levi won fans over as Chuck Bartowski, the titular character on NBC’s award-winning series. According to Wikipedia, the show is about “an “average computer-whiz-next-door” who receives an encoded e-mail from an old college friend now working in the CIA; the message embeds the only remaining copy of the world’s greatest spy secrets into Chuck’s brain.” They had me at “spy secrets.”

There is a reason Chuck makes the top of the list. With his awful fashion sense, unwilling super spy alter ego and killer one -liners (not to mention his painfully gorgeous looks), his character is the epitome of the Hot Nerd Next Door.
Nerdalicious ^TM Quote (s):
Chuck: Is it really so wrong for me to want a night off? I was having a really good time too until the assassins stole my pants and tried to kill me!

Jeff: Does it shock you that 80% of my encounters with women have been completely without their knowledge?
Chuck: Honestly, I’m more suprised by the other 20%. But look, buddy, I know you’re going through a tough time, but I don’t feel comfortable stalking another human being.
Morgan: Dude it’s not stalking, okay? It’s caring enough about someone to learn things about them they won’t tell you themselves.
Chuck: Which is stalking.

---

Chris Gorham (Henry, NBC’s Ugly Betty)            

Christopher Gorham first made it onto my radar in 1999 with the WB teen dramedy series Popular as the shy high schooler Harrison John in love with the enemy of his best friend Samantha. He wowed audiences on the short-lived but very quotable series Jake 2.0, which also aired on the WB. Most recently, audiences have fallen in love with him as accountant Henry, the on-again, off-again love interest of American Ferrara on NBC’s Ugly Betty.

Well known for his witty one-liners, sarcasm and disturbing knowledge of pop culture, Gorham’s characters are not only adorable, they earn him a place on my hottie list.

Nerdalicious Quote^TM (s):

Henry: [to Betty]: Guess I’ll be on top of you the next couple of days… party-wise.

Henry: I can’t believe Alexis is doing this to Daniel. They’re family. Even Erica Kane forgave her daughter Kendall when she slept with her fourth husband… All My Children. It’s just something I know.

---

Nicholas Brendon (Xander Harris, WB/UPN’s Buffy the Vampire Slayer)

From 2003 - 2007, Nicholas Brendon played Xander Harris, the wise-cracking sidekick to the titular character (he was a hot Shaggy to her Daphne, if you will) on this cult classic created by Joss Whedon.

His self-effacing wit and mastery of the Snoopy Dance (not to mention how hot he looks in a Speedo) make him a nostalgic favorite for me.

Nerdalicious ^TM Quote (s):

Xander: I wonder what she sees in me? It’s probably the quiet good looks coupled with a certain smoky magnetism.

---

SETH GREEN (Oz, Buffy the Vampire Slayer)

Seth Green has made a career in film and television playing socially-awkward guys that you can’t help but love: The hip-hop poser in Can’t Hardly Wait; the hilariously annoying younger brother in Can’t Buy Me Love; the original creator of Napster in The Italian Job; and as Daniel Oz, a mellow werewolf rocker on Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

His mellow voice and unflappable attitude combined with his trademark dry humor and intense green eyes secure him a place on my hottie list.

Nerdalicious ^TM Quote (s):

Devon MacLeish: What does a girl have to do to impress you?
Oz: Well, it involves a feather boa and the theme to A Summer Place. I can’t discuss it here.

Oz : I’m gonna ask you to go out with me tomorrow night. And I’m kinda nervous about
it, actually. It’s interesting.
Willow: Oh! Well, if it helps at all, I’m gonna say “yes.”
Oz: Yeah, it helps. It … it creates a comfort zone. … Do you wanna go out with me tomorrow night?
Willow: [slaps forehead] Oh! I can’t!
Oz: Well, see, I like that you’re unpredictable.

---

GIVEAWAY QUESTION: Who is your favorite TV Nerd Next Door and Why?
(Don’t be afraid to break out the old school TV nerds, either!) Tell me and you’ll be entered to win a copy of Vicki Lewis Thompson’s The Nerd Who Loved Me.

**UPDATE** Congratulations to Debbie! You won a print copy of “The Nerd Who Loved Me.” I’ll be emailing you shortly to get your mailing address.

Happy reading!
Michelle Lauren

I admit it. I have a thing for bad boys. Who doesn’t, right? But I started to wonder a couple years ago, just how bad could I write them? How bad could they be and still be redeemable? Still be hero material? So the Dark Redemption books were born.

Saving Grace is the second in the series and now available. Here’s the blurb.

Walker Graham has spent years reforming his life and has built a good one. The only thing it lacks is having the woman he loves at his side. Grace Monroe is having none of that, however. She’s spent the years since her divorce distancing herself from emotional entanglement. She enjoys her affair with Walker, but she won’t let him get under her skin…

Until his past and her present collide.

When Grace, a private investigator, is hired to investigate the murder of a Birmingham crime boss the last thing she expects to find is Walker at the top of her suspect list. As the attempts on her life mount, she has no choice but to turn to Walker for help. But in the end can she trust him with her life and her heart?

Good morning SExer’s,

 

By now, you all most likely know I love to search the internet for random, useless facts or in many cases what can clearly be called questionable random, useless facts.  I could most likely find a better use for my time, but hey, where is the fun in that?

 

Since summer is just around the corner, I thought I’d post a few here so you have something to discuss at the next family BBQ’s. Think of how much enjoyment you will get out of making old Aunt Betsy spit milk out of her nose, or pervy Uncle Billy-Bob-Bozo fall off his bar stool before he’s drunk.

 

You don’t have to thank me. I love helping!!

 

 

Sex is bio-chemically no different from eating large quantities of chocolate. (Time to stock up on the M&M’s!)

 

A man’s beard grows fastest when he anticipates sex. (Uncle BBB probably already knows this one.)

 

Humans are the only species on earth that have face-to-face sex. (I shall try to watch more Animal Planet to verify this. I know, but someone has to do it.)

 

The average ear of corn has 800 kernels arranged in 16 rows. (Just in case you get bored, waiting for the ice cream to harden in those little balls you’re all supposed to be rolling around on the grass.)

 

Number one on the list of top 10 useless human body parts – Male nipples.  (Made ya think ~smiles~).

 

Ounce for ounce a fast food hamburger is more expensive than a new car. (Fill free to use this one on any and all fast food junkies in the family).

 

Number of Pop-Tarts dropped on Afghanistan as part of U.S. airborne food aid in the first month of bombing : 2,400,000 (OMG – no wonder I can’t find them at the local store).

 

Pearls melt in vinegar. (There are two things that come to mind – Why would you put your pearls in vinegar? And – does it really?)

 

A hippos milk is pink (I don’t think I’ll be trying to verify this one any time soon.)

 

Fornication Under Consent of the King otherwise known as F **k (What an interesting history lesson that was. If you find yourself with a few extra minutes it’s worth researching.

 

Murphy’s Oil Soap is the chemical most commonly used to clean elephants. (Next time I’m at the zoo, I shall ask Mr. Elephant Keeper if this is true.)

 

You should not eat a crawfish with a straight tail. It was dead before it was cooked. (Do crawfish taste like chicken?)

 

In the Caribbean there are oysters that can climb trees. (I don’t even want to know.)

 

An ordinance in Newcastle, Wyoming, specifically bans couples from having sex while standing inside a store’s walk-in meat freezer! (Okay, this one demands more research. I shall try to track down the origin for next time.)

I hope these little facts/fictions help make your next family gathering memorable. Ya’ll come back real soon.

Now that you have a lot of conversation starters, may I suggest you get out the BBQ, find the lighter fluid, make a few phone calls and get the party started.

Have a great weekend!!

Michelle Hoppe

 

 

Welcome! It’s Sunday on SExpressions and you know what that means … Flash Fiction! If it’s your first time here … welcome! Today is all about letting your muse run free and your imagination fly. I’m talking 100 words (give or take) of sexploits and sexual innuendo. This week’s theme … TATTOOS!

That’s right … that sexy ink that can be hidden (yee haw!) or the stuff out there for all the world to see (seeexxxyyy). Either way see if you can’t sneak a little tattoo into your flashes this week.

Here’s one to get you started:
Mark couldn’t believe she’d done it. The vine of lush leaves and lotus flowers started on her shoulder, twined seductively down her back to nestle on her hip just below her belly button. He’d been begging her to get a sexy tattoo, a rose or a butterfly. But Becca had blown his mind when she’d stripped to show him this … this masterpiece.

“It’s beautiful.” He couldn’t wipe the goofy grin off his face. Becca had spent hours doing this for him. She hated needles and he kissed it gingerly, licking the beautiful flesh. “Umm, it tastes like sugar.”

Becca smiled, “Yeah, it’s cool and it’ll wash right off in the shower.”
*******
So that’s it. Easy peasy! Now it’s your turn to join me in some flashing. 100 word snippets of stories. Extra credit if you get a tattoo or two in there! Things get kind of wild and crazy as the words start flying and the stories get hawter and hawter! So hold on to your hats and have some fun!

Okay ladies, sharpen up your knives, and get out your stakes. I found this article at AskMen.com, and I feel the need for a battle.

Some of my favorite highlights from the article were:

Lying is never good … except when it comes to women.

Women are certainly not above telling “white lies,” or even bald-faced ones, if it serves their purposes.

Simply put, if you want to keep her happy and keep getting laid, you’re going to have to learn how to lie — and lie convincingly. She demands it. The trick is in knowing what she wants to hear, even if it means seriously stretching the truth.

What kinds of questions? Loaded questions — questions guaranteed to doom you if you answer them truthfully. Unfair questions.

Here are a few to look out for:
-  How many women have you slept with?
-  Do you think she’s pretty? (About another woman.)
-  Do you think I’ve gained weight/look fat in this dress?
-  What do you think of my looks?
-  How do you feel about me/where is our relationship going?
-  What are you thinking about?

Remember, there’s always a huge gulf between what she’s asking and what she really wants to hear.

At this point you have a few options:

You can say nothing and hope it all goes away.
You can wuss out and stammer some gushy compliments about how pretty she is that sound insincere even to your ears.
You can tell her the brutal truth (drop 20 pounds and the only way you’ll ever look that good is via reincarnation).
You can lie.
Bingo! Remember, she wants you to lie. She expects you to lie. It’s all part of the mental games she forces you to play. In the end, you can make her feel like a million bucks. And the more she feels like a million bucks, guess what? The more she’s going to want to have sex with you, so mission accomplished.

Total article can be viewed here:
http://www.askmen.com/dating/curtsmith_100/129_dating_advice.html

Hell of an advice column, huh?

I ask you, do you lie to your man?
(Hey, don’t look at me, I only lie about my weight, and that’s a Constitutional Right)

Do you expect him to lie to you?
(Hell no, that’s why you bought that tent and keep the Lorena Bobbitt article stuck to your fridge with a magnet.)

Is this article for real? (Sadly, it is.)

I’ve answered the questions, and yes, I did it honestly, well sort of. I did buy a tent.

Now it’s your turn.

It’s that time of year again. The yearly summer visit of my sister and nephew. Her hubby is still unsure if he can make it this year. I am excited they are coming for the summer. I don’t get to see them as often as I would like. I talk with them almost everyday but it isn’t the same as actually seeing them. Whenever they come we do lots of things. I become a tourist and see the sights of New York. I am counting down the days for there arrival while I’m preparing for their arrival.

There is always so much to do when they are coming. Besides cleaning the house and shopping for their favorite foods I like to plan fun things for us to do. We usually go to the museum, zoo, and aquarium and so on. Each year I look for something new for us to do. I’m still racking my brain on what to do this year.

My sis and I will have a gab session to catch up. I love when they come and visit. We chat, cook, laugh, and hang out. And most importantly we shop. Power shop. LOL. My wallet will be crying for mercy when they leave but it is all worth it.

Time and fun with family is priceless.

McKenna Jeffries
http://www.mckennajeffries.com
…. sensual, edgy, unexpected

Blog:http://www.mckennajeffries.com/blog
Chat: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/McKennaJeffriesList
Free Reads Site: http://www.satinnotes.com

I don’t know if I’ve done a list like this before, but it’s important to keep a list like this fresh, full of new ideas, progress vs. stagnation! I know you all are up to it. I’ll start the list—feel free to add your own. We can all learn from this. Now ready, get set, PROCRASTINATE!

1. Hanging out on Facebook, playing Pathwords or training my virtual dog Velma.
   
2. Taking the dog for a walk or trying to clip his toe nails.
3. Deciding which purse to use—fashionable or practical?
4. Argue with the insurance company or try to get through a phone tree.
5. Pick one: the library, LiquidSilverBooks, Barnes & Nobles, Borders, or Amazon (particularly if you have a coupon or gift certificate.
6. Eat a pint of Ben & Jerry’s.



7. Go on a loop and pick an argument (or join one if it’s good).
8. Rearrange the pantry, with the option to move on to the standing freezer or the fridge, or, if desperate, clean the oven.
9. Comb through the TV Guide to find the new summer shows.
10. Convince hubby (or significant other) to give you a backrub…and you know how that goes.

Now your turn…

Shara

http://www.sharalanel.com

2009 HOLT Medallion Award Winner   **I’m trying to say this as many times as possible**

This past weekend we had a bit of excitement on my street. On Saturday, well actually Sunday morning considering the time of night it was, I awoke to the sound of our screen door slamming shut at the front of the house. Looking over at the clock I saw it was almost 3:45am. The house was dark and all the kids were in bed, but my husband was not in bed where I expected him to be. I got out of bed and saw the front door stood open, which should have been locked at that time of night. Being in my pajamas, I peeked out the door and was surprised to see my hubby and a bunch of other neighbors standing on the sidewalk at the house across the street. Two police cars were also there. I knew something had to be up to with that many people, and the police, standing out there. When my hubby didn’t come back inside right away I went back up to bed and waited for him to come inside. I guess when I woke up it had been the tail end of events. Apparently around 1:00am one neighbor caught a bunch of teenage kids trying to break into his next door neighbor’s car. It wasn’t the only one they tried to hit either. They tried to get into another couple of cars and tried to break into one of the houses on our street. They also cut the phone line at one house. The police were called, but they didn’t show up for two hours.

When the police didn’t show up right away, a bunch of neighbors went on foot, and in a car, searching for these kids. Needless to say they didn’t find them, but at least they tried. Not something I would have expected. We live on a small dead end street where not all the neighbors are on first name basis with each other. But in a situation such as this one they all pulled together. It just goes to show that even though we all aren’t very close neighbors will still look out for each other when we need each other.

Marisa Chenery
www.marisachenery.com