UPDATE: The winner is…flchen!
*~*~*

Grumpy cat and I share a lot in common today. When I looked into the mirror first thing this morning to brush my teeth, that was my expression!

However, I’m generally a very positive person. Annoyingly so. I wake up the kids for school by singing children’s songs off-key, ignoring their groans and becoming more maniacally loud the longer they linger. Today, I think I’m grumpy because I’m in almost mid-way through the NaNoWriMo challenge and I want to take a break. I CAN’T because I refuse to be behind on my wordcount, but I also haven’t built enough of a cushion beforehand to skip a day. Wah-Wah. Get over it!

I thought maybe you could help me get in a better mood. I love jokes, but many jokes are just too long. I love witty, funny, or ironic sayings, so I thought that might be the ticket. We’re going to make our own Silly Sayings Day! The first ever, I think. Maybe it’ll become a thing! Woot!

So, let’s turn those frowns upside down! For a chance to win a $5 Amazon gift card, share a silly saying.

Here are a couple to start us off…

Before you judge a man, walk a mile in his shoes. After that, who cares? — He’s a mile away, and you’ve got his shoes!
~ Billy Connolly

Or…

If a clown farts, is it funny?
~Anonymous (and likely ashamed)

As I was beginning to prepare this week’s plan, I pulled the Queen of Pentacles. I’ve pulled her before. I had rather good luck with her. So, I study the card. She’s pretty and voluptuous. Mature. She holds a gold pentacle in one hand and grapes in the other, so I can assume she likes her comfort. She’s Queen Omphale who purchased Heracles in a slave market. He was a rough barbarian, and she coaxed him into wearing rich clothes and enjoying the “comforts” she provided. She shared her largesse freely with him.

Is she supposed to be me? I do offer my “grapes” to my friends and family. So, what does it mean for me? Perhaps the week is about seeking and sharing comfort with my family. I like that thought.

Now, I’ll check the book. The Mythic Tarot says that it’s time to learn about the “importance of pleasure.” I may also be called upon to “secure” and husband “money and energy.” So, I was only half right. Yes, enjoy myself but don’t spend too much. Good advice. LOL

Open Contests

1. Story Cubes: Tell me a story… (Contest) — Last day to enter! Win an Amazon gift card!
2. Saturday Puzzle-Contest! — This one ends soon! Win an Amazon gift card!
3. Flashback: Strokes (Contest–3 Winners!) — Win a FREE book!
4. Gabbi Black: Those Pesky Side Characters (Contest) — Win an Amazon gift card!
5. Genevive Chamblee: Ways to Give Thanks (Contest) — Win a FREE book!
6. Let’s celebrate Veterans Day! Plus, a Puzzle (Contest) — Win an Amazon gift card!

UPDATE: The winner is…Tara Leavitt!
*~*~*

I have a lot of people to thank for their service on this day, starting with my late father who received recognition at his graveside. I thank my sister, Elle James, my brother and my nephew, who all served. Service is in my DNA. I had uncles who served in WWII, luckily all returned. I’m sure your families have their own heroes as well. So, a shout out to all who served! If you get a chance today, thank a veteran for their service.

Saturday Puzzle-Contest

For a chance to win a $5 Amazon gift card, tell me whether you have a family or friend you’ll celebrate today.

UPDATE: The winner is…Debra Guyette!
*~*~*

Typically, November sparks the season of gratitude and being thankful. Social media is blasted with daily posts of gratitude and giving. While there is nothing wrong with doing this, often, this is presented the same, and this can become disingenuous. It also may become a struggle for persons experiencing difficult times. It’s no secret that this type of year can be hard for many people for many reasons. Therefore, this post will attempt to give some alternative ways of expressing and demonstrating thanks.

1. This one is simple; although, it may not seem apparent. Say a person is thankful for his/her family. Yes, by all means, express that. However, the person shouldn’t only post it only social media. He/she should tell his/her family how thankful he/she is for them. Do something special for them. Additionally, tell someone else how wonderful their family is (e.g., you have great kids, your wife is a phenomenal cook, your father-in-law is exceptional at his job, etc.) Extend what you’re grateful for to others. Not only will it make them feel good, it will remind them to be grateful as well.
2. When I was in high school, many of the clubs/organizations had community service goals. Actually, it was a requirement by the school, but that’s beside the point. While this was an excellent component to have embedded in organization bylaws, it was flawed. See, many of the community service events served the same persons/program. For example, one of the organizations I was involved in had adopted a meal program. Each day, students would take a meal to a man who lived close to the school. I cannot remember if the man had been selected because he was elderly, had a disability, or both. What I do remember is that he was receiving meals daily from multiple organizations. Now, it could be argued that he could save the meals for later. But honestly, does one person need nine boxed meals per day? I’m not saying he shouldn’t have been receiving meals. My point is that the love could have been spread to more people. I’m confident in saying there were plenty of other people in need who received nothing from any organizations.
3. Many years ago, a friend applied for WIC. The WIC office informed her that before she could get approved for services, she would need to go to the public health department to verify her pregnancy and be approved for Medicaid. The health department nurse told her she could not be approved for Medicaid until she was approved for a program (she couldn’t remember the name of the program) that would pay for childcare. From there, she was sent to another place to apply for something else. It was a musical slot machine of services. What my friend realized was that if she had been approved for one service, she would have been approved for multiple services. However, since she was denied by one, she was denied for all. The irony was, she hadn’t wanted all the services. All that she had wanted was help paying for baby formula. She wasn’t asking for insurance or childcare or any of the other stuff. And she wasn’t asking for any other items from the WIC program other than formula so that she wouldn’t have to struggle to feed her child. A pack of diapers would have been a bonus but not necessary.

For many people, being thankful includes sharing their good fortune with others. Why not attempt to make that sharing reach as many as possible? Instead of focusing so much on a few, why not adjust to include more people?

4. Considering small things. When in a rut or a dark place, sometimes it is hard to see the light. For example, a person who has recently lost his/her home may find it challenging to see the world as a positive place. Should they be thankful for being unhoused and experiencing such a loss? Should they be happy that someone has profited off of their misery? Here’s the thing. When something negative has occurred in one’s life and the negative cannot be undone, it is futile to focus on it. The results will remain the same. So, the person may need to cling to the things that are preventing the situation from being worse. For example, the person may be thankful to have friends who are allowing him/her to reside in their home until he/she finds another location. Or he/she may be thankful that they are in a safe shelter. Or he/she may see this as an opportunity to move and start fresh in another city.
5. Non-comparison. Keeping up with the Joneses is a thing even for people who think it isn’t. For example, looking at photos on Instagram may cause a person to feel less thrilled about his/her life. First, many of those photographs are photoshopped and/or fake. For the ones that aren’t, many are misleading. That great makeup look one is admiring may have been created by a professional makeup artist using gifted products and professional lighting and prompts. Envious because you can’t afford a month’s vacation in the Mediterranean? That person on IG may not have been able to afford it either and is now $10,000 in debt and fired from his/her job. Everything is not always what it seems. In this scenario, a weekend staycation would be far better than a month’s vacation.

***CONTEST & GIVEAWAY***

November 10 celebrates the anniversary of the publication of Defending the Net. I want to commemorate this day by celebrating it with readers of romance. Would you like a FREE copy of Defending the Net, the second book in my Locker Room Love hockey romance series? It’s simple. Leave a comment telling me what you like about sports romance or your favorite sports in general. It’s that easy. A winner will be selected at random. Please be sure to check spam mail in case the notification email is routed there by the server. (NOTE: For an additional entry, you can also comment on the post on my Instagram page (genevivechambleeauthor).

So, that’s a wrap on today’s topic. Now, it’s your turn to sound off. What did you think? What is your take on the subject? Do you agree or disagree? Did you find this information helpful or informative? Did you learn anything new, or did it change your opinion? Let me know your thoughts in the comment section. Also, let me know if you would like me to cover more of these types of topics or dive deeper into this one. If you like this post, please click the like button and share it. Your feedback allows me to know the content that you want to read. If you’re not following me on Creole Bayou blog, what are you waiting for? There’s always room at the bayou.

Get ready. It’s time to hit the ice again. Future Goals has arrived and is available.

When a college hockey player needs the help of an attractive older attorney, he gets more than he bargained for when trying to sort out the troubles in his career. Falling in love was never part of either man’s plan, especially as Corrigan’s and Sacha’s lives should never have collided. Now they’re left questioning if they’re standing in the way of the other’s future goals, or if there’s room for redirection.

Order your copy at:
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3RjPYb9

Other booksellers: https://bit.ly/3CI8d5W

Did you missed the first four books in my hockey romance series? No frets.

Out of the Penalty Box (book #1), where it is one minute in the box or a lifetime out, is available at http://amzn.to/2Bhnngw. It also can be ordered on iTunes, Nook, or Kobo. For more links on where to purchase or to read the blurb, please visit http://bit.ly/2i9SqpH.

Defending the Net (book #2) can be ordered at https://amzn.to/2N7fj8q or www.books2read.com/defending. Crossing the line could cost the game.

Ice Gladiators (book #3) is the third book in my Locker Room Love series. When the gloves come off, the games begin. Available at https://amzn.to/2TGFsyD or www.books2read.com/icegladiators.

Penalty Kill (book #4) retakes the ice. Get a copy at https://amzn.to/3ex0N9p or https://amzn.to/3ex0N9p and let the pucker begin.

For more of my stories, shenanigans, giveaways, and more, check out my blog, Creole Bayou, www.genevivechambleeconnect.wordpress.com. New posts are made on Wednesdays, and everything is raw and unscathed. Climb on in a pirogue and join me on the bayou.

If you have any questions or suggestions about this post or any others, feel free to comment below or X (formerly tweet) me at @dolynesaidso. You also can follow me on Instagram at genevivechambleeauthor or search for me on Goodreads, Amazon Authors, BookBub, Bluesky, Threads, or TikTok.

NEWSLETTER! Want to get the latest information and updates about my writing projects, giveaways, contests, and reveals first? Click https://genevivechambleeconnect.wordpress.com/newsletter/ and sign up today.

Until next time, happy reading and much romance. Laissez le bon temps rouler.

About the Author

Genevive Chamblee resides in the Bayou country where sweet tea and SEC football reign supreme. She is known for being witty (or so she thinks), getting lost anywhere beyond her front yard (the back is pushing it as she’s very geographically challenged), falling in love with shelter animals (and she adopts them), asking off-the-beaten-path questions that make one go “hmm,” and preparing home-cooked Creole meals that are as spicy as her writing. Genevive specializes in spinning steamy, romantic tales with humorous flair, diverse characters, and quirky views of love and human behavior. She also is not afraid to delve into darker romances as well.

UPDATE: The winner is…Sara D!
*~*~*

Hello Delilah!  Thank you for inviting me to visit you.  I’m happy to share my new erotic BDSM book, Backing Down. I have to say, this was one of the most fun books I’ve written in a while. Normally, my books are on the darker side, especially my In Their Eyes trilogy.  For this one, though, I aimed for humor.

The genesis of the book was fun.  It’s a long story, but I needed to write a rivals-to-lovers story.  I’d never done that before, having only ventured into enemies-to-lovers a couple of times and under different pen names.  Even as I agreed to write the story, the image of Master Dante came to my mind.  He’s a secondary character in my trilogy and I’ve known for a while that I wanted him to have his own story.  When I saw the word rival, I also saw a strong Domme.  Also, in the back of my mind, I knew Dante was bisexual and, eventually, would have Evan as his permanent submissive.

Okay, so I had a clear picture of my two guys in my MMF.  I just needed to figure out the woman.  I approached another friend who helps me sort plots, and she helped me create Mistress Kate.  My triad was complete.

From that point, the writing came easily.  Perhaps also because I was under a super tight deadline, and the words had to flow. Sometimes, I write best under pressure.

I hope readers enjoy my novella and bratty Evan’s antics as he tries to get what he wants more than anything in the world – two Dominants.

Thanks for hosting me today! I would love to give a $5 Amazon gift card to a commenter. Do you enjoy humor in the books you read or are you all about the angst?  Let me know and one randomly selected commenter will win!

Backing Down

Master Dante

As the manager of Club Kink, Vancouver’s premier BDSM club, I have access to all the submissives I could desire. I never switch, but two years ago, a hot encounter with Mistress Kate blurred some of my boundaries, and left me rethinking my true desires. Now, Kate’s back, and I don’t think the heat between us is just competitiveness between two Doms. I have other ideas, and I’m willing to pull out all the stops to make them a reality.

Kate

Two years ago, I had the best night of my life. And the worst. I’ve recovered my self-esteem and my reputation, but I haven’t been able to forget Master Dante. Now we both have our sights set on the same submissive. May the best Dominant win, right? Well, I intend to come out on top this time—no matter the consequences.

Evan

I’ve been a happy submissive for five years. Lately, I’ve watched Master Dante and Mistress Kate around the club, and noticed how aware they are of each other. I admit it, I’m greedy. I want both. I want them together. And I’m willing to do whatever it takes to have them—in the bedroom and in the dungeon. With Christmas just around the corner, and with me being a very good boy, maybe I’ll get what I want.

Links:
Universal link:  https://books2read.com/BackingDown
Amazon US:  https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CLL395M4

About the Author

Even though Gabbi Black is a firm believer in happy endings, she makes her characters work for it in every romance she writes, no matter what the genre. From contemporary to BDSM, they are penned early in the morning in her home in beautiful British Columbia while her trusty ChinPoo dog keeps her company. She also writes gay romances as Gabbi Grey.

Personal links:
Website:   http://gabbiblack.com/
Newsletter sign-up:  https://sendfox.com/gabbi
Bookbub:  https://www.bookbub.com/profile/2763198834
Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/authorgabbiblack/
Facebook (page): https://www.facebook.com/Author-Gabbi-Black-106666354460589/
Twitter:  https://twitter.com/GabbiAuthor

UPDATE: The winners are…Laura, Stephanie, and ButtonsMom!
*~*~*

I’ve written a ton of short stories over the years, and every now and then, I bundle them together into a box set/anthology. So far, I have Strokes, Strokes, Volume 2, Strokes, Volume 3, and Ultra Strokes. As you might guess from the titles, these aren’t vanilla stories, so be warned!

The first three are seven-story collections, meant to give you a week’s worth of nighttime fun. Ultra is a compilation of my favorites, plus a couple of ones not already seen in the other anthologies. If you happen to love short stories, be sure to visit my short story page: Short Stories. Some of these stories have appeared in Cleis Press anthologies, some in my own “Collection” anthologies. Two (or was it three?) were featured in Penthouse magazine. I’ve published 51 stories in all, and three more are on the way when I have time. It’s time, I think, to do another seven-story bundle. I have plenty to fill it with ones not already bundled. Two more, actually. *sigh* I wish there were more hours in the day.

In the meantime, check out the volumes. Check out the short story page to read excerpts. Or just head straight to the bottom of this blog and answer my question for a chance to win! Happy Tuesday, by the way!

Strokes

From National Bestselling Author, Delilah Devlin, comes a naughty collection of seven bedtime stories for a week’s worth of nighttime reading pleasure — a little “som-som” to inspire sexy dreams or a one-handed orgasm, or to be read to a partner and enjoyed together.

Witness one woman’s desperate attempt to seduce her busy husband in “Lily’s Last Stand”. In “Nip ‘n’ Tuck” follow a shy seamstress’s adventures with an online suitor that doesn’t go quite as planned. Dive into “Dreaming by the Sea” where a woman with a mysterious past is surprised by a lover who strides naked from the ocean to claim her. An adventurous Victorian nurse learns the pleasures of steam-driven technology in “Dr.Mullaley’s Cure”. A New York commuter shares lustful daydreams with another subway passenger in “The Morning Ride”.  A woman finds the limits of her inhibitions tested in a one-night stand in “All About Me”. In “The Obedient Wife”, find out what really happened between The Beauty and the Beast. Hint: It’s not your children’s fairytale!

Contest

Comment for a chance to win your choice of a download of one of my Strokes volumes, your choice! Tell me whether you’re a fan of short stories and whether you’d like to see more sexy compilations like this one! I’ll choose three lucky winners!

UPDATE: The winner is…Beverly!
*~*~*

Now, here’s a holiday anyone can get behind, right? Because, hey, you can make your nachos however you want.

• You can choose your favorite meat (I love seasoned crumbled beef, steak fajita, or shrimp!).
• Choose your favorite chips (I love restaurant-style tortilla chips).
• Choose your favorite cheese (I prefer sharp cheddar).
• Whole beans or refried beans (I love Ranch-style and refried beans).
• Choose your garnish (I love tomato, onion, lettuce, cilantro, avocado, and black olives).
• Choose your topping (I love sour cream, salsa, and a squeeze of lime).

It’s 3:30 AM (yes, insomnia again), and now I’m hungry.

I love the mix of flavors. I pile my plate high—it’s all the veg, right? When I’m scraping the plate, I somehow still feel virtuous because I’ve included every food group. 🙂

So, for a chance to win a download of your choice of one of my stories, tell me your favorite nacho combination!