Sexy Apparel and Other Stuff For The Hip Witch

Even if you aren't of the witchy persuasion, there are some wonderfully cool clothes and accessories online and in catalogs that will bring out the sexy witch in you. A friend of mine (Jan - take a bow - lol) shared the latest catalog finds and I am in love with these shoes. Sure, I know it's not Halloween or Samhain season, but a smart and thrifty witch plans ahead for fun. Besides, it's fun to window shop from your computer, right? :wink: I am totally getting these next paycheck: Witchy Shoes Item #: P8678 from the Pyramid Collection Catalog $49.95 Cool, huh? Now, the next trick will be trying to walk in them and not fall over. LOL. I never did master the magick of wearing high heels, but I did manage the sexy crossed leg manuver. :grins: Nothing like a set of long legs and silk stocking feet in stilettos to grab a red-blooded hero's attention. ;) If you're the klutzy kind of woman that isn't steady in high heels (like moi), then make the most of it and make sure you fall right into his big, strong arms...oh yeahhh. :D Dragon Whispers Tank Dress Item #: P8634 from the Pyramid Collection Catalog $49.95 I love this little tank dress. It looks really cool and comfortable and with the humid Kentucky summers we have, I think this would be wonderful for casual wear on the weekends. Maybe paired with sandals and lots of fun and funky jewelry. I also love these fun and vampy shades. Winged Vampire Sunglasses Item #: P28485 from the Pyramid Collection Catalog Price: $12.95 But what about something cool for the Witches' Ball? Not to worry, Esmeralda, You'll be in high style when you fly in on your magick broom in this ultra hot fashion statement! Velvet Moonbeam Dress Item #: P8751 from the Pyramid Collection Catalog $110.00 I also think this little short cape (pictured with the dress underneath) is the perfect accessory for the dress, and if the October night gets too chill, it will keep you toasty warm. Velvet Reversible Capelet Item #: P8857 from the Pyramid Collection Catalog $70.00 Jan also shared links with me to some really cool stuff in the UK and Australia, but you'll have to check out the pictures since I couldn't share them here. http://www.sharpe-designs.com/dragonesque-clothing-tops.htm I really love the red and black corset in the middle, with the buckles. :naughty witch wink: http://www.moonmaiden-gothic-clothing.co.uk/ Check out the mini dresses. I adore the Shadowfaerie mini, but I don't think it comes in my size...H...for huge. rofl. But still, if I were a size 7 and about 25 years old, I would so wear that. lol Uncle Festers is another place with cool stuff. I really like this top and it even comes in my size! Woot! http://www.unclefesters.com.au/ Oh boy, I think my paycheck is now spent. lol. If anyone knows of other cool witchy clothing links, please leave a comment and let us know. Oh, and for you Dragon lovers out there and by Dragon-lover I mean Debbie Cooke and her Pyr fans and Debbie Mumford and her Dragon fans :grin: I've got a little something for you to salivate over... Totally cool dragon table pictured left. I think it would look very nice in your respective writing offices, ladies. ;) BTW, anyone else notice that Debbies and dragons go together very well. Coincidence, or something more? Hmm.... :P Anytime you want to share why that is, ya'll are welcome to stop by and give us the inside dragon news. :D The MMC is in no way endorsing any of these companies nor are we affiliated with them in any way, so purchase at your own risk. If you have done business with any of these companies, though, please let us know about your experiences.

Romancing a Cause

Are you an unpublished paranormal romance writer? Want to get a detailed critique from multi-published, bestselling paranormal romance author, and witchy moonmaid Cassandra Curtis? Or maybe you aren't a writer, but a reader who loves romance books? What about cool jewelry and gift baskets of goodies? Look No Further! Help my friends from Romance Divas support a romance writer who is struggling. She and her husband have lost their home, both lost their jobs, and we don’t want them to lose hope. Be a Diva and have a ball with these awesome items. A new auction every day! From April 1 through April 7, you can bid on print books, ebooks, writing critiques, banner creation, jewelry, baskets of soap, and other goodies galore! All of the authors are part of the writing forum Romance Divas, and include Robin L. Rotham, Gemma Halliday, Jennifer Lewis, Kate Pearce, Jennifer Colgan, Nell Dixon, Sage Burnett, Delia DeLeest, KB Alan, Debbie Mumford, Dara England, Cassandra Curtis, Ciar Cullen, Stephanie Adkins, and many more! If you can't afford to bid on these items, even $2 will help. Paypal address for direct contributions is kbrunori@paypal.com The auction can be found at: http://ciarcullen.wordpress.com/romancing-a-cause-auction/ I hope you are ready to bid and bid high for this worthy cause. Brightest Blessings, Cass

Shamrock Contest Winner is...

Afshan! Congratulations! You've won the nifty Shamrock prize package for March! The correct answer for those who are curious was... 35 Shamrocks! If you forgot to include the shamrocks on the pictures of the bracelet prize photo (8) twice (as it was pictured twice (equaling 16), then you can see why it added up to 35 so fast. ;) Some of you questioned whether the cookies pictured on St. Patrick's Day's recipe blog post counted as six cookies, or 1 cookie (photo). The answer is they had to be counted as six individual shamrocks. Thank you to all who played the Count the Hidden Shamrocks Game! Slainte, Cass, Cora, and Tempest

Cafe Hours: Open 24/7

Have you visited the Midnight Moon Cafe website? The Midnight Moon Cafe is growing! Our website offers several free erotic romance stories for download, as well as our popular Midnight Brew interviews in .pdf format. More features are being added weekly. www.midnightmooncafe.com

Weekend Pop Quiz: What's Your Spring Fever?

Spring fever, I haz it! I've been ready with the cut-offs and sunscreen for weeks, just itching to get outdoors and dip my toes in the sand. No more need to search for shoes when going out, either. ;) Does spring have you sprung? Why not take our weekend pop quiz and find out what's your personal brand of spring fever? You Are Spring Break You are fun loving and celebratory. You live for good times with friends and strangers. You like meeting and mingling. You are a social person by nature. You like to "play hard"... even if you don't work hard. You are able to let go of your worries and truly enjoy life. What Part of Spring Are You?

Hidden Shamrock Contest Deadline!

Don't forget the Hidden Shamrock Contest ends tonight at midnight, so count those shamrocks and email us and enter to win! Winner will be drawn March 30, 2009. Good Luck!

Romance In The Backseat with Linda Wisdom

To see more from the backseat go to www.RITBS.blogspot.com.

Winner of Carolina Wolf by Sela Carsen is...

Rylee Myst! Congratulations, Rylee! Please email us at midnightmooncafe @ gmail. com (no spaces) to get your prize! Please remember to include the e-format you prefer.

Thursday Thirteen

13 Hot Paranormal Romances for April 1. "Secret Life of a Vampire" by Kerrelyn Sparks 2. 3. "Passion Unleashed" by Larissa Ione 4. "You're So Vein" by Christine Warren 5. "Curse the Dawn: A Cassie Palmer Novel (Cassandra Palmer Series #4)" by Karen Chance 6. 7. "Royal Blood" by Rona Sharon 8. "Immortal Danger" by Cynthia Eden 9. "Eternal Moon" by Rebecca York 10. "Edge Of Hunger" by Rhyannon Byrd 11. "Deadly Desire" by Keri Arthur 12. "Stakes and Stilettos" by Michelle Rowen 13. "The Mage: A Novel of the Sons of Destiny" by Jean Johnson

Sneak Peak: Shifting Tides, book 3

Speaking of under the sea adventures...just wanted to give a quick wave to let readers know I've posted a snippet from my upcoming book over on my personal blog. Check it out: Cass' blog.

Return to Atlantis!

Heart Of The Dragon Searching for her missing brother, Grace Carlyle never dreamed she would discover a secret world populated by mythological monsters—or find herself facing a sword-wielding being whose looks put mortal men to shame. But there he was, Darius en Kragin, one of a race of shape-shifting warriors bound to guard the gates of Atlantis, and kill all travelers who strayed within its borders. Now Grace's life was in his hands, and Darius had to choose between his centuries-old vow and the woman who had slipped beneath his defenses and stolen the heart of Atlantis's fiercest dragon. Jewel Of Atlantis All Atlantis seeks the Jewel of Dunamis, which legend claims can overcome any enemy. Grayson James, human agent of the ultrasecret Otherworld Bureau of Investigation, has orders to keep it from the wrong hands—or destroy it. What he doesn't know is that Jewel is a woman, not a stone! But once he meets this precious gem, destroying her is the last thing on his mind…. Jewel, part goddess, part prophet, needs Gray's help to win her freedom. Gray needs her wisdom to navigate monster-ridden Atlantis. But need blossoms into passionate love as they battle demons, dragons and vampires—and fight for a future that seems impossible…. Nymph King Females young and old, beautiful and plain crave Valerian's touch. None can resist his blatant sensuality and potent allure…until he steals Shaye Holling from a Florida beach and holds her prisoner in his underwater kingdom. The cynical Shaye wants nothing to do with the mighty warlord, but she's inexplicably drawn to him. For underneath the warrior's arrogant beauty lies a complex and powerful man. A man whose caress is like fire… Now Valerian must fight for the privilege of claiming her as his own. Because there's one thing Shaye doesn't know.… That when a nymph discovers his true mate, she's his for life. The Vampire's Bride He is Layel, king of the vampires, a master seducer no woman can deny. But since a rogue horde of dragons killed his beloved over two centuries ago, Layel has existed only for vengeance…until he meets Delilah. Wary of love, the beautiful Amazon wants nothing to do with the tormented vampire. Yet there’s no denying their consuming desire every time he nears her. Neither trusts the other—nor can they survive alone. For in an impossible game of the gods’ devising, they’ve been trapped on an island, about to face the ultimate challenge: surrender to the passion that will bind them forever…or be doomed to an eternity apart.

Happy March 24th!

Hello to the Midnight Moon Café! CC, Tempest and Cora have graciously allowed me to hang out here today and talk about, umm, stuff. Ya gotta love a solid plan. ;) I should start with an introduction. Hi! I’m Sela Carsen and I write novella-length paranormal romantic comedies for Samhain Publishing. I’ve been published since 2006 and my latest release, CAROLINA WOLF, came out in February. It’s part of the Tickle My Fantasy anthology – four fun paranormal romantic comedy novellas. Now that was a call for submissions that was made for me! I first started writing para-rom-com (because paranormal romantic comedy is a really long phrase to keep typing) on a whim. I got bored with the Regency I’d been fighting with for two years and just started writing a scene in a Louisiana cemetery. That turned into NOT QUITE DEAD. I’m a pack rat, at least with my writing. I don’t delete anything. HEART OF THE SEA started out because I wanted to re-work the premise of the movie “Sabrina.” I really only ended up borrowing the setting – the grand home of the Gilded Age glitterati in Rhode Island. CAROLINA WOLF started out from a scene I wrote for a challenge several years ago – long before I was published. Essentially, the entire story is fleshed out from a few lines where I focused on doing nothing but writing with the senses of taste, touch and scent. I start a lot of things that I don’t finish. It used to annoy and frustrate me, but now I just stick it in my idea file for later. Not everything turns into a full-fledged novella, either. Some of them turn into very short stories that I use for free reads. I mean, not all my ideas are para-rom-coms. A romantic suspense idea turned into a freebie for my publisher. A retold fairy tale in a more formal voice than my usual breezy contemp is on my website. Just a reminder, Café-goers, that no writing is ever wasted, no matter how long it takes to come to completion. Hey, that Regency is still waiting in the wings. I may never write it. In fact, I doubt I will. But I also never know what idea it’ll spark or what part of it I can cannibalize into something else. With enough coffee, anything is possible. CONTEST: Hey, want to win a copy of CAROLINA WOLF? Comment here and I'll let Oliver, my Boxer, pick a name by whichever one he tries to eat! And now for your public service announcement: CAROLINA WOLF by Sela Carsen from Samhain Publishing ISBN: 978-1-60504-374-6 Buy from MBaM! All it takes is a spark of Grrrrrl power to set the swamp on fire! A Tickle My Fantasy story. Librarian Debra Henry is boring. And she’s okay with that. Really. It’s not as if the teensy amount of witchcraft that flows in her veins is worth getting excited about. Yet someone—or something—thinks it’s worth crawling out of the swamps to attack her. Those “somethings” are werewolves. When one of them is hurt saving her, the least she can do is take him home and patch him up. Healing him stirs more than her senses. Maddox Moreau awakens the magic that sleeps in her blood. And suddenly, life’s not quite so boring. A wildlife manager at Congaree National Park by day, Maddox likes being the BWIS—Big Wolf In the Swamp. By night, he lets his wild side out to play lone wolf. At least until he meets the one woman who can share his soul. Perhaps it’s best, though, if he holds off on sharing his preference for raw meat. Rescuing her seals his fate—but only if he can protect her from a rogue of his kind. A werewolf with a nasty stalker streak… Warning: This story contains hunky werewolves, librarian fetishes, Southern humor, smart-ass women and men who think that’s sexy, magic, medieval legends, disco music and flatulent Boxers. (The dogs, not the underwear.)

Guest Blogging Today will be Sela Carsen

Our guest blogger today will be Sela Carsen, author of the wonderful wolfie story Carolina Moon. Her hero, Maddox is pure hot and hungry alpha male. Yum. But I'll let her tell you all about him and her story. ;)

Have You Been Counting Your Shamrocks?

Collect the Shamrocks! Don't forget to count all the hidden shamrocks this month at the Midnight Moon Café. Once you think you've found all the shamrocks, email us at the end of the month with how many you've found and if you are right, you'll be entered into a drawing to be held March 30! The deadline to enter is midnight, Friday March 27th. *Bundle includes: A Taste of Magic by Tracy Madison (March '09 paperback release), author bookmarks and more pack, cool Celtic jewelry, and a specially marked box of Sweetheart Forbidden Fruits Twilight Collectible candy. Note: If you entered via the 'secret special post' last month, you are already entered to win for the Hidden Shamrock Contest. ::wink::

Seductive Vamps in Regency Times

Paperback Favorites Rewind August 2003 October 2003 Seduced and cast aside by a rogue, Jocelyn Kingly survived the shameful scandal with her pride intact, as well as a new determination to save women less fortunate than she was. Her mission is aided by a well-intentioned vicar named Amadeus Fallow, whose services prove invaluable. Despite the fact that his presence on occasion makes her skin crawl with unease, his assistance is far preferable to the attentions of charming Lucien Valin. Rakish and self-indulgent, Lucien is exactly the sort of man she detests, even though her overwhelming attraction proves impossible to deny. But when the local brothels are terrorized by a plague of vicious murders, Jocelyn discovers that there is more to both Amadeus and Lucien than she ever imagined—and that a mysterious amulet in her possession is at the core of their dark, unearthly secrets. Can she trust the man who claims to be her friend...or will she surrender to the man who longs to be her lover? December 2003 Despite her impeccable lineage and delicate beauty, Amelia Hadwell has no interest in social demands—not when she must care for her brother William, whose otherworldly manner has convinced their family he is mad. Determined to care for him, Amelia is horrified to learn that he has been escaping to the East End, where a shocking series of murders has terrorized the neighborhood—and that her neighbor, Drake Ramone, is convinced William is the culprit! Desperate to safeguard her brother, Amelia accepts the offer of a hiding place from Sebastian St. Ives, a reclusive scholar to whom William has taken a liking. Drawn to the reserved, silver-eyed stranger, she is amazed when he reveals the unsettling reason for Drake’s interest in William—and the danger an amulet in Amelia’s possession represents. Yet nothing is as shattering as the realization that although Sebastian belongs to a world she cannot imagine, she has surrendered her heart to him with just one kiss…

Wearable Charms

Make the most of your jewelry. Some stones have unusual metaphysical properties to be harnessed if the wearer is aware of the stone's potential. Here are a few interesting and beautiful stones. Rainbow Moonstone Rainbow moonstone is believed to enhance your psychic perception, enhance clairvoyant dreams, create balance and light for the wearer. lapis lazuli Lapis Lazuli is good for quieting a restless mind. It's also good for helping someone overcome shyness. Citrine Citrine is said to bring good fortune and success in business matters. It also is believed to help prevent nightmares. Celestite Celestite is the angel stone. It brings clarity to the wearer, and protection from guardian spirits.

Friday Finds

Looking to sink your teeth in some hot vampire romances? But you want these to be short? Then look no further! *g* Author Chris Marie Green, writing as Crystal Green for Harlequin and Silhouette, has penned two wonderfully sexy paranormal romances for their Blaze line that I'm sure will leave you breathless. Good To The Last Bite (Harlequin Blaze Series #426) by Crystal Green Blurb: Edward Marburn is a vampire—for the second time. He's also desperate to be human again, and has vowed vengeance on his creator, Gisele. Now he's on the hunt for her. And Edward always traps his quarry… But he doesn't remember this particularly luscious quarry being so sensual. Gisele has a hold on his thoughts, his imagination and his very willing body. He's powerless to resist her. The tables are turned—the hunter is caught. Yet despite the supercharged sex, Edward still longs to regain his humanity. And that can happen only if he kills the one who made him—Gisele! Ultimate Bite (Harlequin Blaze #334) by Crystal Green Blurb: One dark, wild night a mysterious stranger seduced Kim Wright, changing her forever. He did wicked things to her, things she'd never dared dream of. He even bit her! And by doing so, he transformed Kim from an inexperienced mouse to a sinfully sexy woman. A woman who craved more of what only Stephen could give her. Now, a year later, Kim has finally found Stephen again. And she still wants him, desperately. But Stephen's not like other men. He can't get attached to any one woman. Still, he can't resist sinking his teeth into Kim just one more time. Too bad Kim's not going to let Stephen get away that easily—.

Reader's Choice from Grace Draven Contest

The winner of Ms. Draven's Reader's Choice contest is... flchen1 Congratulations! Please email us at midnightmooncafe@gmail.com with the subject line: Reader's Choice Winner. Please let us know which e-book you'd like (from Ms. Draven's backlist) and what e-book format you prefer.

The Midnight Brew Presents: Grace Draven

A Louisiana native, living in Texas, Grace Draven is a financial analyst by trade. She is the member of a large on-line network of writers, as well as a member of a site that archives fiction works. In the spare moments between working a full-time job and caring for three small children she writes romantic fiction. Grace has lived in Spain, honeymooned in Scotland, hiked through the Teton Mountains, ridden in competition rodeo and is the great, great-granddaughter of a Nicaraguan president. Grace is also an avid fan of medieval history, Renaissance faires, Russian culture, and the culinary arts. The Midnight Moon Cafe is happy to welcome Ms. Grace Draven to the Midnight Brew! MMC: When did you first become interested in writing fantasy and paranormal romances? Was there a defining moment when you said, "Ah-ha! This is what I was born to write?" Grace: Probably the moment I decided to actually sit down and write. No real defining moment. I've always loved both fantasy and romance and wanted to see more romance in fantasy and more fantasy in romance. When the paranormal genre hit it big, I cheered, both as a reader and a writer. MMC: What attracts you the most about the characters you create? Grace: Their humanity and their failings. I love characters I can relate to in some way—the bad judgments and screw-ups we get ourselves into as we go through life. A perfect character isn't one I can empathize with on any level. When I build my characters, I try to give them traits they weren't only born with but also earned in the school of hard knocks. One of my favorite characters to date has been Silhara of Neith in my fantasy romance Master of Crows (due out with Amber Quill in July '09). He's an outcast mage, the son of a prostitute and a man with a considerable chip on his shoulder. He's intelligent, waspish, suspicious and definitely marches to the beat of his own kazoo. He comes with a lot of baggage, but that's why I like him so much. He has all these internal burdens and personality conflicts but still manages to retain some level of nobility and inner strength. It's these things I like in other people and what I want in myself. MMC: What is your writing schedule like? Grace: Catch as catch can. I have three small children at home which constitutes a lot of chaos, mayhem and wall-to-wall scheduling. I write when there's a moment's peace, and that can be any time from 5:00 a.m. on a Saturday morning to 10:30 p.m. on Wednesday night. MMC: How much time do you dedicate to research for your stories? Grace: Quite a bit. It's why I think I'm a slow writer. I spend an enormous amount of time on research. With world building, the devil is in the details. Even if I don't use everything I've amassed in the way of reference notes, etc., I think my writing style is noticeably impacted by all the research. I can write with confidence if describing sheep herding or Maori tattooing. I believe research provides as much a solid foundation to a story as the basic style and grammatical skills required to construct it. MMC: Speaking of world-building, how do you come up with your backstory? And how does that setting affect your main characters? Grace: Ooh, I'm all over the place with that one. Backstory comes to me only as I start fleshing out the story. It also changes quite a bit as I'm building the first draft. I'll have a foundation to start with, but it's very rough. I tweak it as I build my characters. Now that I think about it, my world building is determined by my characters instead of the other way around. MMC: Can you tell our readers a little bit about your next book, The Undying King? What was the inspiration for the story? Grace: The inspiration for The Undying King was the title itself. It popped into my head one day and wouldn't leave. I literally built that tale around the title. Without giving too much away, the story revolves around Imogen of Leids, a woman born with a curse. Anything she touches or that touches her bare skin dies. She learns from her foster mother, a hedge witch, of a legendary king called The Undying King. The tales told say he was an ancient king who drank the Living Waters and became immortal. Imogen's mother believes this king can help Imogen break her curse. In the book, I tackled themes of redemption, forgiveness, devotion and parental love. I also liked working with the contrasting ideas of curse and blessing. Of course, since this is a fantasy romance set in the ruins of an ancient city, we have romance, angst, magic, battle and wraiths. Also, with it being a story written for the Amber Quill Heat line, there's a strong sexual theme as well. MMC: What do you do when you get stuck in a story? And please say you do get stuck sometimes. That gives the rest of us some hope. lol. Grace: I get stuck all the time. I combat mental gridlock by keeping three stories going at one time. Even if my secondary and tertiary stories are only in the research or rough outline stage, they act as a buffer and a redirect. I'll work on those until I can break past the gridlock and turn my attention back to the primary story. MMC: What are you working on now? Grace: A writing project with three other authors. We are writing about elemental witches. Mine is a fire witch—a woman who sacrifices herself each year in what's known as The Rites of Spring. She's blackmailed into helping an enslaved gladiator escape his bondage so he might return to his people. Think ancient Rome with all its debauchery and toss in a lot of magic with a sprinkling of barbarian hordes. MMC: For those not familiar with your work, which book would you recommend to read first and why? Grace: Hmmm, I'd have to recommend two. For something more sexually intense, I'd say Draconus (dragon shapeshifter tale). However, my personal favorite is The King of Hel. MMC: What's something that your readers may not know about you? Grace: I'm the least romantic person imaginable. My husband thinks it's funny and remarks it's the penultimate in contrasts. ~smiles~ MMC: Do you have a newsletter, blog, or website where fans can read about you and your books? Grace: I have a blog I try to update regularly these days. Pop in and say hi at http://grace-draven.livejournal.com ~Contest Time~ Leave a comment for a chance to win an ebook *winner's choice* from Ms. Draven's backlist of fantasy delights from Amber Quill Press/Amber Heat. To learn more about these titles from Ms. Draven, click on the linkie below: Find Out More! Blackbird The King of Hel Draconus Arena Wyvern Courting Bathsheba Contest ends noon, Friday, March 20, 2009 Winner will be announced here at the MMC on Friday, so check back to see if you've won! Must be 18+ to enter.

What's in Your Purse? A Meme...

Consider Yourselves Tagged! LOL Here are the rules. 1. Dump the contents of your purse in a pile. 2. Be brave and 'splain to your fellow bloggers what lurks inside the purse. There is a method to my madness. I dare you to find a story in the pile. 3. Answer these questions: What's the most important thing in your purse? What's the most embarrassing thing in your purse? What's the smallest thing in your purse? 4. Tag others who might want to embarrass themselves Here's what I carry: What's the most important thing in your purse? my cell phone What's the most embarrassing thing in your purse? a tube of homemade herbal-based feminine itch cream! LOL What's the smallest thing in your purse? a tiny mustard seed In addition to the cell phone, the mustard seed and the feminine itch cream, I also have a hair brush, sun glasses, reading glasses, pill box, bra extender (Hey, it was a close call which was more embarrassing, the itch cream or the bra extender). LOL. My wallet, a change purse, and a nail file with the ying-yang symbol on it (I guess in case I want to look zen-like as I try to break outta jail—:P), and a tube of Lancome Fever Shine lipstick, Midnight Dip! lol. Your turn!

Limerick Contest Winner is...

Congratulations to: ann marie! You've won the cool bracelet pictured here. Please email us at midnightmooncafe@gmail.com with your snail mail addy so we can send out your prize! Thanks to everyone who played our limerick game! Cass, Cora, Tempest, and A.E.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Slaínte! Come join in the celebration as we pour another pint and recite limericks all day! Yep, you heard us right! Today we are playing a limerick game and to participate in the fun and maybe win our very cool prize, (pictured left) you'll have to leave a comment and post a limerick. The one that makes us laugh the most, wins! :) The limerick can be R, but nothing X-rated please. You can search for a limerick or create your own unique spin, but whatever you do, please post it before midnight tonight, or it will be ineligible to win. :-( Winner will be announced tomorrow, Wednesday, March 18 here at the MMC blog. Now come on and make us proud! :D

Irish-Inspired Edible Treats

Bailey's Cheesecake Crust: 4 Tablespoons Unsalted butter, melted 1/4 Cup Sugar 1 package Graham Crackers, ground fine Filling: 24 ounces Cream Cheese softened 3/4 Cup Sugar 3 Eggs 3/4 Cup Baileys' Irish Cream Topping: Semisweet & white chocolate curls and Cocoa powder Directions: Combine butter and sugar. Stir in crumbs. Press evenly over bottom of greased 9-inch springform pan and bake at 350ºF for 10 minutes. Cool pan and grease sides. Beat cream cheese until smooth. Gradually beat in sugar. Beat in eggs, one at a time. Blend in Baileys. Pour mixture from bowl into prepared pan. Bake 10 minutes at 450ºF, then 55 minutes at 250ºF. Remove from oven and place on decorative plate and into refrigerator. Once cheesecake has cooled, remove from refrigerator prior to serving and scrape chocolate with knife edge to form curls, and place on top of cheesecake. Dust with cocoa powder. Serve. Irish Cream Bread Pudding with Caramel Irish Cream Sauce Pudding: 1 loaf stale French bread 2 cups milk 1 cup heavy cream 1/2 cup Irish cream liqueur 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened 3 eggs 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar 1 tablespoon vanilla extract 1/2 cup raisins Caramel Irish Cream Sauce: 1/4 cup water 1 cup granulated sugar 1/3 cup freshly brewed coffee 1/3 cup heavy cream 1 teaspoon lemon juice 1/4 cup Irish cream liqueur Directions: Pudding: Crumble the bread, with the crust, into a bowl. Cover with combined milk, cream and liqueur and let stand an hour or until the bread has absorbed most of the liquid. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Butter a 13 x 9-inch baking dish and set aside. Beat eggs, sugar and vanilla extract until well blended. Mix gently with bread and raisins. Spoon into pan, smooth top. Bake until light brown and the custard is set, about an hour. Caramel Irish Cream Sauce: Pour sugar into water in saucepan and let stand until sugar is wet. Cook, swirling occasionally, until the mixture turns nut brown. Remove from heat. Immediately and carefully, to avoid splatters, pour in coffee and cream into the saucepan. Return to heat and cook, stirring constantly, until caramel melts. Remove from heat and cool. Stir in lemon juice and liqueur just before serving. Irish Soda Bread Cookies 2 cups all-purpose flour 3/4 cup white sugar 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 1/2 cup butter 1/2 cup currants 1/4 cup buttermilk 1 egg 1/4 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon caraway seed Directions: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Combine dry ingredients in a mixing bowl. With a pastry blender, cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse meal. Stir in currants. Mix in beaten egg. Pour in milk and mix with a fork to make a soft dough (may need a little more milk). On a floured surface, shape dough into a ball and knead lightly 5 or 6 times. Roll out dough to 1/4 inch thick and cut into squares and triangles with a knife (approximately 2 inches in diameter). Bake for 12 to 14 minutes or until slightly browned. Shamrock Cookies 1/2 cup shortening 1/2 cup butter or margarine 2 cups sugar 3 eggs 1/4 cup milk 1 teaspoon vanilla 1/2 teaspoon salt 5 cups flour shamrock metal or plastic cookie cutter Directions: Cream shortening and sugar together. Beat in eggs. Stir in milk, vanilla and salt. Mix in flour. Work the dough with your hands for a minute before rolling out. Roll out the dough to 1/8 inch thick. Use flour as needed to roll out the cookies. Tip: If you don't have a shamrock cutter cutter, you can use a heart-shaped one. Note: If using a heart cookie cutter, for each shamrock you will need 3 heart-shaped cookies. Place one heart on an ungreased cookie sheet, then put one heart on each side at a 90-degree angle so the tips at the bottom are overlapping. Gently press the cookies together where they overlap. Take a lump of dough the size of a small walnut. Roll into a rope. Press one inch of the rope onto the bottom of the shamrock. Shape the remaining rope into a stem and flatten gently. (Four or five shamrocks will fit on each cookie sheet.) Bake in a 350 degree oven for 12 minutes, or until golden brown. Immediately remove the cookies from the cookie sheet and allow to cool. When the cookies are cooled thoroughly, frost with shamrock icing. For added decoration, use cookie sprinkles or sugar decorations if desired. Shamrock Icing (makes enough to frost 2 dozen shamrock cookies) 3 cups of powdered sugar 1/4 cup soft butter or margarine 5 or 6 tablespoons milk 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon vanilla 10 drops green food coloring Measure the powdered sugar into a mixing bowl. Work the butter/margarine into the dry powdered sugar with a mixing spoon. Add salt and vanilla. Add the milk 1 tablespoon at a time and mix thoroughly after each addition. When the icing is finished, add the food coloring and mix thoroughly. Note: to make darker green icing, use more food coloring For Cassandra's favorite Irish treat go HERE. :-)

At The Next Midnight Brew...

We welcome paranormal fantasy romance author Grace Draven to the Midnight Brew this coming Thursday, March 19th! Grace is the author of Wyvern, King of Hel, Draconus, and the upcoming book—The Undying King! As always, there will be a contest, so mark your calenders for this Thursday and join us as we chat with bestselling author Grace Draven.

How Do You Like Your Lycans?

The Moon Chasers Series by Sharie Kohler For thousands of years, soulless bloodthirsty lycans have roamed the earth, at their most dangerous every full moon when their insatiable need to feed must be satisfied … and human blood runs. The only thing standing between these monsters and mankind is a secret society of lycan hunters that will stop at nothing to see the lycan race destroyed. These hunters are hardened men, without hearts, driven by duty and an inflexible code: destroy them at all cost. Only forces that have been brewing for generations are gathering in the form of a prophecy … and a few men and women are about to meet their destiny in the quest to rid the world of lycans. Suddenly the rules have changed, and hunters are breaking the codes by which they live … facing their inner demons as well as the nightmarish fiends stalking the night. All for a chance at love. KISS OF A DARK MOON Sharie Kohler ISBN-10: 1416542280 ISBN-13: 978-1416542285 Publisher: Pocket LOVE AND LET DIE . . . After a savage lycan attack destroyed her parents, Kit March has ignored the rules saying only men can be hunters and dedicated her life to destroying lycans. Her profession is hell on her love life, but she's resigned to the lack of romance until she meets sinfully sexy European werewolf agent Rafe Santiago. Unfortunately, Rafe is a man with a mission: eradicate rogue agents from the American branch . . . and the foremost name on his list is Kit March. Rafe has always put business before pleasure, but something about this feisty yet vulnerable woman is doing strange things to a man who has never before allowed his emotions to get the better of him. The merciless hunter excels at eliminating threats, but he doesn't know how to handle the threat Kit poses to his heart. The world of lycans has always been black and white. But now, suddenly, the rules are changing. Forces that have been brewing for generations put Kit and Rafe in terrible danger, and nothing they confront is quite as it seems . . . including each other. Is the passion between them just as illusory? Or is it the only thing real? MARKED BY MOONLIGHT by Sharie Kohler ISBN: 978-1416542278 She doesn't know what bit her... Seemingly overnight, Claire Morgan has transformed: the normally mousy schoolteacher is now bold, and her behavior is truly wild. Her eyes gleam silver. Suddenly she's a self-confident femme fatale with a libido that just won't quit. After an impulsive makeover, she's even ... dare she say it? ... sexy. Is Claire going insane? Then brutally handsome stranger Gideon March tells her she was bitten by a werewolf, and Claire figures he's the insane one. Sure, she was attacked by a nasty dog in a back alley, but this guy stalking her says he's a member of a underground society of lycan hunters–and his mission is to terminate her! When Claire finally realizes she is a lycan, there's no turning back because by now Claire and Gideon are bound by a hungry passion. If they can't break the curse before the next full moon, Claire's soul will be lost forever and Gideon will be forced to terminate his prey–a woman dangerously close to devouring him, heart and soul.

Pop Quiz: Which LOST Character Are You?

You Are Kate You've done a bad things in your life, even though they were justified. And since you keep your past to yourself, people see you as very mysterious. You're independent. You do what you have to in order to survive. You are quick witted, and you have a variety of useful skills. You're quite resourceful. Although you're a loner, you form strong romantic bonds quickly. Deep down, you're very loving - though you are still scared of being burned by someone. Who Are You on LOST?

The Winner of Linda Wisdom's signed book is...

We had the hero of Cassandra's work-in-progress look into his scrying bowl and he saw that Jo was the winner! Congratulations, Jo! Please email us with your snail mail information so you can get your prize!

Count Yourself Lucky

Giving everyone a four leaf clover to help you on your way to feeling lucky today! :) History of the four leaf clover: The four leaf clover is a universally accepted symbol of good luck with its origin ages old. According to legend, Eve carried a four leaf clover from the Garden of Eden. "The clovers also occupied a position in the cultural life of early peoples. White clover (T. repens L.) in particular was held in high esteem by the early Celts of Wales as a charm against evil spirits." Clover Science and Technology". N.L. Taylor, 1985. Druids held the 4 leaf clover in high esteem and considered them a sign of luck. In 1620, Sir John Melton wrote: "If a man walking in the fields find any four-leaved grass, he shall in a small while after find some good thing." The mystique of the four leaf clover continues today, since finding a real four leaf clover is still a rare occurrence and omen of good luck. Now worry not, for good times are near, raise your pint and make a cheer, for we'll sing to good luck, so it will find us here! Slainte! I'm looking over a four-leaf clover That I overlooked before. One leaf is sunshine, the second is rain, Third is the roses that grow in the lane. No need explaining the one remaining Is somebody I adore. I'm looking over a four-leaf clover That I overlooked before. Brightest blessings to all today! Cass, Tempest, and Cora

Welcome Guest Blogger Linda Wisdom!

Witches Rule, Wizards Drool Not that witchy Stasi Romanov considers herself a ruler. All she cares about is providing that sense of romance and self esteem to her customers that come to her lingerie boutique. And she’s planning a fantastic Samhain with many friends coming to celebrate the holiday even if things are a bit upset what with Mercury Retrograde happening and a lunar eclipse planned for Samhain night. Hm, could that be a hint of things to come? And why the townspeople are acting not like themselves and act as if she’s suddenly the spawn from hell? Especially one resident who’s found a wizard lawyer to sue Stasi in Wizards Court for alienation of affection for a hexed sachet that didn’t bring back her husband. And just why would the woman want her cheating spouse anyway? Stasi’s the sweet witch. The one eager to help out at any time and now she’s treated like the Wicked Witch of the West, only minus the green skin and flying monkeys, even if she does have a snarky gargoyle that hangs around her shop. Trev Barnes, the sexy wizard lawyer for the plaintiff might rev Stasi’s hormones, but he’s still the enemy. And then there’s pesky red hearts dancing over his head! The same hearts that’s hanging over hers, courtesy of Cupid who’s tired of her meddling in his territory. The god of Eros has a warped sense of humor. There’s no doubt that Trev’s interested in her, but she has other things to worry about. The lake near the town that the witches visit every full moon has been harmed by an unknown magick, some newer members in town are just too perfect in Stasi’s eyes and the ghosts, former residents of the town, that visit during this time of year are also affected by something, or someone to the point where they’re disappearing for good. There’s no way Stasi can resist Trev’s charming ways and really, who would want to? And isn’t it wonderful that law in the preternatural community works differently than in the human community so there’s no stopping him from pursing the cute and sassy witch even if wizards normally consider witches beneath them. Hm, is that a pun? Stasi watches her town turn into a resentful paranoid group reminiscent of Olde Salem during the Witch Trials, and she should know since she lived there during that time. To make matters worse, a blizzard has snowed in the town and a power outage left them stranded and afraid. Luckily, Stasi isn’t alone. She has fellow witches Blair and Jazz to help her figure this out and naturally, Trev is only willing to help along with Jazz’s vampire lover, Nick, and the town’s handyman, Jake, that Blair’s been lusting after for awhile. Stasi’s idea of a blissful Samhain isn’t realized, but thanks to Blair and Jazz she’s alive to plan the next one. What about you? Have you ever had a holiday go wrong? Linda ~Contest~ Leave a comment and enter to win an autographed copy of Linda's wonderful, funny book, Wicked By Any Other Name! Contest ends Friday, March 13th. A very lucky day for witches and those who like them! Cackle, cackle!

Ooh, Look What We Found! Angel's Pawn, A Cool New Novella!

A never before seen novella called ANGELS’ PAWN from Nalini Singh, the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of Hostage to Pleasure is now available as a Penguin eSpecial. I'd never heard of the Penguin eSpecials, but they're nifty. According to Penguin, they are for eBook readers who want more from authors whom they already admire. Penguin eSpecials are short pieces of writing — everything from important updates to nonfiction works to unknown novellas by bestselling novelists. Nalini Singh’s Penguin eSpecial, Angel's Pawn, is a prequel to her all-new Guild Hunter series, only available as an eSpecial. The novella introduces readers to the world of the Guild Hunter—a cool world filled with beauty and danger, where angels and vampires coexist. Angels’ Blood, the first full-length novel in the Guild Hunter series, is also available now. I can't wait for Amazon to deliver my copy. ::watches mailbox anxiously:: Ooh, I hope it gets here soon! :) But in the meanwhile, I'm downloading my $3.99 copy of Angel's Pawn to get ready.

Tarot Talk - A Closer Look at The Star by Cora Zane

When it comes to tarot, The Star card is one of my favorites. It's a card that indicates replenishment, quenching one's thirst, and hope and preparedness for the future. The key word here is future. The card depicts a lady, bare and hiding nothing, holding two vessels. She pours out one vessel of water onto the ground - perhaps it's water that she has held in the one vessel too long. It's no longer fresh, but it has gotten her this far, and it's still good for the plants that grow along banks of the well spring. In doing this, she waters the seeds that have been planted there, and in essence, gives back to the land from which she has previously taken. With the other hand, she dips a vessel into the well spring, but what she takes away from the well spring is not for her to drink today. She has filled the vessel because she's planning to carry the water with her and use it later. The question to ask here is: "What have you filled your vessel with?" Knowledge? Experience? Understanding? And: "What do I leave behind?" The Star card is a card of preparation for change. It shows that change is coming, but we don't know when. The lady on the card is in a state of transition. She is letting go of the past, and gathering what she needs to move into the future. If you'll notice, when she does this, she doesn't look back because there is nothing to fear. Everything she has learned and gathered in the past have sustained her and served her well, but now she needs to start fresh in order to carry on her journey. When the woman leaves the spring to follow her stars (destiny) into the future, she carries the vessel filled with that one basic necessity - water to keep her going. The tree in the distance shows us that along the way there will be opportunities for growth on her journey. However, if you'll notice, there is no road or insinuated direction she must follow. That's because the path to her future is not set in stone. It's one she must carve out for herself. Deck: Rider Waite Sources & to find out more about The Star card and tarot in general: www.aeclectic.net www.paranormality.com ~ )•( ~ About the author: Cora Zane is the award winning, best-selling author of the Werekind series of books. Her next book, Moonlight and Shadows, will be out later this year from Cobblestone Press. Cora is also a founding member of The Midnight Moon Cafe paranormal author website and blog. For more information about Cora, her books, and newsletter, check out her website at www.corazane.com or her blog, Stars Will Cry at www.corazane.blogspot.com.

Publisher's Weekly Party

If anyone is looking for me, I am heading over to my friend, Barbara Vey's 2nd anniversary party at http://www.publishersweekly.com/blog/880000288/post/1240041524.html There's tons of things being given away daily and more to come throughout the week. Saturday she is giving away a $150 gift certificate for Amazon.com and will pick a winner from all the comment entries for the whole week. If you decide to go, just make sure to tell the guard at the gate that Cassandra Curtis of the Midnight Moon Cafe sent you. :wink:

Book Trailer Sunday

Grab a bucket of popcorn and check out these hawt book trailers!

Weekend Flirt: 13 Ways to Keep Your Husband Happy

13 Ways to Keep Your Husband Happy by Diane Gottsman 1. After washing your beautiful locks, don't forget to pick up your hair from the shower drain. It may not bother you but he doesn't like untangling your hair from his big toe. 2. Be understanding of his work schedule. An occasional afternoon call to see when he will be home is fine but when you begin to stalk him daily at 5:01, his boss starts waiting for your call. 3. Let him play with his friends. As long as they are not 5'9, single, intelligent, beautiful and looking for a husband. Seriously, guys need guy friends to hang out with and do boy stuff. Your husband will be happier and won't be so impatient when your girlfriends call you during dinner, breakfast, lunch and sex. 4. Speaking of..., don't let yourself go. That doesn't mean you must maintain a certain weight or length of hair for the sake of your marriage, but it is a gesture of love to take pride in your appearance. You may expect the same from him and you both deserve a mate that is clean, showered, shaved and cares about their health. 5. Buy your own razor. Quit sneaking his razor out of his bathroom to shave your legs and underarms then attempt to conceal the offense by drying it off with his face towel so it doesn't get yours dirty and put it back as if you never used it. (Yes, I have personal experience and he always knows!!!) 6. Compliment him, genuinely and often. Let him know how much you appreciate the little and the big things he does for you and the family. Taking out the trash may be part of his "routine," but acknowledging his efforts will keep him motivated to continue. 7. Don't hide the credit card bills. Be honest with him, even if it hurts. It's better to hear the truth from you than your creditors. 8. Take the initiative to practice random acts of kindness. Don't wait for Valentine's Day or his birthday to buy him a little "love gift" or write him a love letter. Hug him going out the door in the morning and coming back in the door at night. He's going to wonder what you are up to! 9. Don't talk bad about his parents or his siblings. It's difficult to kiss someone that just called his mother a tarantula and his father an orangutan. Remember that he is an offspring of that union, which would make him a tarangutan and you the tarangutans bride. 10. Treat him like you did when you first started dating. Don't forget simple words such as "please," "thank you" and "excuse me." 11. Remember all those bodily functions you tried to keep discreet while you were in the throws of wooing him? Just because you have been married several years and are very comfortable around your beloved doesn't mean you can now blow, snort and pick to your heart's content. 12. Plan a date night to do something he loves, even if you don't. Instead of seeing the latest chick flick, compromise and see an action movie and go to dinner at a place you mutually enjoy. Have a couple of glasses of wine so you can sleep through the car chases. 13. Never go to bed angry. Cliché, yes, but true. A well-rested husband is a happy husband-it's much better to go to bed next to someone that you can curl up next to, rather than someone you must put pillows in between.

Friday Finds

My last shopping spree at Borders was a pretty successful one. *wg* Look what I found from Sourcebooks! BTW, I had never heard from this publisher before. However, they have me drooling over their great (and very sexy) covers. And the awesome stories too! If you like werewolves, then Ms. Terry Spear's paranormal romance story is going to make you howl. Heh! Destiny of the Wolf by Terry Spear Blurb: All she wants is the truth… Lelandi Wildhaven is determined to discover the truth about her beloved sister’s mysterious death.But everyone thinks she’s out to make a bid for her sister’s widowed mate… He’s a pack leader tormented by memories... Darien Silver blames himself for his mate’s death. When her twin arrives in his town, he finds himself bewitched, and when someone attempts to silence her, he realizes that protecting the beautiful stranger might be the only way to protect his pack...and himself… Then there's the third book in Ms. Cheryl Brooks's The Cat Star Chronicles series. The cover is totally sexy, and the story is ...well... read below to get the idea. *winks* Rogue by Cheryl Brooks Blurb: No woman has ever tamed him before... Enslaved for years, Tychar belongs to the Queen of Darconia. His feline gene gives him remarkable sexual powers and every female on the planet is in love with him. Then, the Queen gives him to Kyra... Does she even stand a chance? Or will she be just another one of his conquests? Why would he choose the modest piano teacher? Yet the two are drawn to each other with a powerful, magnetic attraction unlike any he's felt before... Then the palace is attacked in a coup, and Tychar has to choose between freedom and love...

Thursday Thirteen

13 Books I'm reading in March 1. "Desire Unchained" by Larissa Ione 2. "Fury Calls (Silhouette Nocturne Series #60)" by Caridad Piñeiro 3. "Darkness Revealed" by Alexandra Ivy 4. "The Vampire's Bride" by Gena Showalter 5. "As Shadows Fade" by Colleen Gleason 6. "A Vampire's Claim" by Joey W. Hill 7. "The Immortal Hunter (Argeneau Vampire Series #11)" by Lynsay Sands 8. "Kitty Raises Hell (Kitty Norville Series #6)" by Carrie Vaughn 9. "Wicked by Any Other Name" by Linda Wisdom 10. "Road Trip of the Living Dead" by Mark Henry 11. "The Better to Hold You" by Alisa Sheckley 12. "Animal Attraction" by Charlene Teglia 13. "Nice Girls Don't Have Fangs" by Molly Harper Others: "Curse the Dark (Retrievers Series)" by Laura Anne Gilman

One is Never Enough

♥ Happy Hump Day! ♥ There are some undie and "low go" shots in this video, so depending on your office it may or may not be safe for work!

Dark Hunters in manga

You all know the latest is to turn famous paranormal romance novels/series into manga, and those to-die-for Dark Hunters in Sherrilyn Kenyon are no exception. I got an email from her publisher a couple of days ago, announcing the first Dark Hunter issue which is coming up in April 28. Of course, it'll start with the story of Kyrian of Thrace and Amanda Deveraux (from Night Pleasure). Yes, I know the Dark Hunter series actually started with Julian of Macedon, curse to be a love-slave and live in a book, who is summoned by Grace Alexander to fulfill her sexual fantasies, in Fantasy Lover. But hey, I guess the artist might have problems drawing a nekked man coming out of book. *wiggles eyebrows* Anyhoo... if you're curious about the first issue of Dark Hunters, then take a peek! http://yearofacheron.com/dark-huntermanga.html

Just sucks

Vampires. I'm not just talking the 'favorite character in books or film' type. Nope. Real life, baby, or lack thereof. I've read many an article, and watched numerous "investigative" pieces on the myth or reality of vampires in our modern times. I lump them into two categories. Blood drinkers. Yeah, there are those with actual physical deficiencies who need elements in blood. But, according to my friend in the medical field, humans would die on a steady diet of blood, poisoned by the iron in it. I could go on and dissect and nit pit the blood drinking aspect of vampirism to death, but what is niggling at me aren't the blood drinkers. Psychic vampires. Yup, that's where my head is at. I'd always thought it to be a little hokey. But, hey, what they believe, they believe. "Whatever works." Basically, I'd dismissed it. Until I felt it for myself. We have a friend who has some emotional issues (and physical issues...) and when she is at her lowest point, she comes to visit me. I'd never really paid attention to the cycle of my own energy levels, pre and post visit, but I did this time. I am still dragging ass, two days later. This girl was sucking my will to live. And the thing is, I do not believe it was intentional on her part. So, if I can believe the psychic vampire can drain energy, do I therefore BELIEVE there are real blood drinking vampires out there? Not so sure on that one. There's too many boxes with scientific boundaries to shove them into. But, who knows...maybe... Thoughts? Arguments? Proof one way or the other??

Collect the Shamrocks!

This month is a celebration of everything fantasy, so watch out, because the faery folk are afoot! As part of the Celtic celebration, all green beer is free and every morning we welcome you to join us for a wake-me-up Irish coffee! :) Best of all, today kicks off the Hidden Shamrock Contest. Collect and find all the shamrocks hidden in posts this month and you might win a cool prize bundle* filled with enchanted magick! Once you think you've found all the shamrocks, email us at the end of the month with how many you've found and if you are right, you'll be entered into a drawing to be held March 30! The deadline to enter is midnight, Friday March 27th. *Bundle includes: A Taste of Magic by Tracy Madison (March '09 paperback release), author bookmarks and more pack, cool Celtic jewelry, and a box of Sweethearts Forbidden Fruits Twilight collectible box of candy. Note: If you entered via the 'secret special post' last month, you are already entered to win for the Hidden Shamrock Contest. ::wink::