If I wasn’t pretty sure I’d do myself a serious damage, I’d be turning cartwheels all the way down the street.

Tailspin is now available IN PRINT! Yes, it is - it truly, really is. Yeehah!

    You can get it from Ellora’s Cave - http://www.jasminejade.com/pm-7154-236-tailspin.aspx

    It should be available from Amazon, Barnes and Noble
and specialty bookstores soon. I know that Australian bookstores - I
have a list of them here - will order it in for you. All you have to do is ask.

    Did I mention I’m thrilled, right down to my tippy toes? No? Well, goodness. I’m thrilled, okay?  Seriously. It’s been a loooong time coming.

First, I thought we might celebrate with an excerpt, then I thought “nah”, let’s have something different. So here’s An Interview with an Aetherii, in which the gorgeous Mirry answers readers’ questions, and I, um, overdo it. Might be an idea to put the coffee down now.

Denise:

Miriliel the Burnished and I are sitting in my modest, yet businesslike
study. I have a good Australian red and delicious nibblies and a stool
for our distinguished guest. I’ve also locked the cat in the kitchen at
the other end of the house. The yowling sounds very faint from way back
there. And after a (very short) battle with my conscience, I dragged in
the bed from the spare room and changed the sheets. (Hope springs
eternal.)

*clearing throat* So, Miriliel, I’d like to welcome you on behalf of all readers everywhere, especially the female ones.

Miriliel the Burnished:

Thank you, ah. What’s the correct form of address? Lady Denise?

Denise:

*blushing* Oh yes, that would
be lovely. Now, are you comfortable? Enough room for the wings?
Whoopsie, just watch the wobbly bookcase, the one with my awards on it.
And would you like me to hold your tail? I’d be perfectly happy to do
that for you.

Miriliel the Burnished:

No, no, not necessary. I have it under control. Sorry, did you say something? Mmm. *sipping wine* This is excellent.

Denise:

Glad you like it. *rustling papers in an officious kind of way*
I have a number of questions here from readers, and a lot of them are
about Jan. Everyone wants to be certain he’s well and happy, not to
mention Fledge. How are they? We’ve all been so worried.

Miriliel the Burnished:

What a minute. *frowning* Lady Denise, I thought I was interviewing you. And after I’ve finished with you, I’d like to talk to your cat. All data’s precious. I’m planning a new work, the Encyclopedia of Other Worlds. *beaming*

Denise:

That’s not quite what–

Miriliel the Burnished:

It’s such an exciting concept. Never been done before. Well, not by a scholar of any note. I don’t count that Asimov fellow.

Denise:

But what about Fledge and Jan? Especially Jan, the poor darling. Allisa
wants to know if he brought someone back with him, a man or a woman?

Miriliel the Burnished:
Someone else? I hope you’re joking. *growling* An
Aetherii Mating flight is as binding as a sacred oath. Rip the Veil,
I’d strangle him with his own tail! Anyway, they’re both fine. Now
about this encyclopedia. Pindar of Sere says–

Denise:

Bugger Pindar of Sere! *through gritted teeth* WHAT. ABOUT. JAN?!!

Miriliel the Burnished:

What? Oh Jan got himself sorted out in the end. Sat on a mountain with the highhunters for a couple of months.

*draining glass and holding it out for a refill* Thanks.

Mind you, he only made it in the nick of time. We were pretty desperate, Fledge and I. *shaking head* If he hadn’t returned when he did, I would have gone after him and dragged him back by the– Dragged him back, anyhow. *growling again*

Denise:

*fascinated* Really? I imagine it was a touching reunion.

Miriliel the Burnished:

*grinning broadly* Oh yes, very very touching. Lots of touching. Are you all right, Lady Denise? You’re quite pink.

Denise:

*faintly* Wait, let me top up the glasses. Oh heavens, my hands are shaking. *blinking innocently* Perhaps if you supported my wrist with your tail?

Miriliel the Burnished:

If you like. There. Is that better?

Denise:

Ooooooh. So silky. Tell me *gulping wine* more.

Miriliel the Burnished:

Just loosen the grip a trifle, Lady D. May I call you Lady D.? *closing eyes and purring* Mmm, the stroking’s really very pleasant. You have good hands.

Denise:

*absently* Call me anything you like. God, your tail feels gorgeous. So, what happened when Jan came back?

Mirry:

What do you think? *laughing*
We went to bed. For three glorious days and nights. With a couple of
Mating Flights in the middle. Rip the Veil, it was absolutely fabulous,
especially when we tied Fledge to the railings of the balcony with the
featherpearls, and then we–

Hmmpf. Yes, well. *stretching, spreading wings* Oh shit! Sorry about that, Lady D. Was it an important award?

Denise:

*gasping for air* No, just my first royalty check. I had it framed because it was too small to cash.

Mirry:

Oh pardon me, I didn’t realize you were royal. *peering* You don’t look especially aristocratic, if you don’t mind me saying so.

Denise:

I have a noble soul, okay? *knocking back another glass* Here, have an oyster.

Now, on to the next set of questions. A number of readers have asked
about your encyclopedia. Ingrid wants to know how long it took to
write. Kayelle Allen says, “The Great Encyclopedia is quoted in Tailspin
as if it was already written, yet you are writing it as you go, from
what the story implies. Does this mean it is always in progress? If so,
when will it be finished?” And Jenny asks how you got interested in
writing such a thing. As she points out, it is a very large undertaking
and must consume a great deal of time that could be spent in more
pleasurable pursuits.

Mirry:

*smiling* Ah, I love a woman
with an inquiring mind. Lady Ingrid, I truly believe the encyclopedia
will be my life’s task, so that means Lady Kayelle is correct. It’s a
work in progress.

As for Lady Jenny’s question - what a scholarly approach, by the way -
I was curious even as a child, always wanting to know how things work
and why they work. I can’t bear slipshod thinking, I’m afraid, so I
guess that makes me an intellectual snob. *shrugging with a rustle of wings* Veil-it, too damn bad.

I always have a number of projects on the go, my guide books for example. They’re a nice little earner and I’m editing Fledge’s Collected Tales of the Fair.
I can give you a bibliography if you’d like, Lady D. And I’m still
working for Jan as an intelligencer. The fringe benefits are…enormous.

So research is one of my greatest passions, but only one. The pleasures of the flesh, for instance. *rubbing hands down thighs in tight breeches* Mmm.

*wicked grin* What do you think of the pleasures of the flesh, Lady D.?

Denise:

*gurgling* Uh, I’m all in favor. Let me feed you one of these asparagus spears. Open wide. Your mouth, I mean.

Mirry:

Delicious. Oh sorry, didn’t mean to lick your fingers like that, Lady D.

Denise:

*draining her glass in one gulp* No problem. Goodness, ish it hot in here or what?

Mirry:

It is, rather. Do you mind if I take my shirt off? The Aetherii see no
shame in exposing the body, but I wouldn’t wish to offend. Different
cultural sensibilities, you know.

Denise:

*shrieking* Do I MIND? *recovering* No, no, go right ahead, Mirry dear. Make yourshelf comfortable.

*long pause* Ohhhhhh.

Mirry:

Next question, Lady D. Lady D.? Hullo?

Denise:

*muttering* Holy hell. *fumbling for papers* Question. Right. *clearing throat* Kirra Pierce
wants to know what effects your fame has had on your life since the
incredible success of your encyclopedia. Have you been approached to be
the shpokes…*stumbling*…spokesAetherii for any products, for instance?

Mirry:

Funny you should mention that, Lady Kirra. *frowning*
I’ve had the most extraordinary number of requests for personal
tutoring, one-on-one. Mainly from women, but a few men as well. And
since I’ve been here, some fellow asked me if I’d be on something
called Big Brother. I have no idea what he’s talking about, but I wasn’t impressed. He had a face like a bunrat with indigestion.

Denise:

Kirra sent a sample of her Peerless Plumage Oil. Would you like to try it? I’ll help.

Mirry:

Your eyes have gone all bright and beady. *diplomatically* Perhaps later. *pause* Ah, Lady D.?

Denise:

Yesh, dear?

Mirry:

You won’t be able to stuff my tail down the front of that dress. It won’t fit.

Denise:

I’ll undo a button. *squeaking* Oooh, that tickles! *muttering to self* Keep breathing, breathing is good. Speaking of tails…

Mirry:

Uh-huh. Is there more wine?

Denise:

Here you go, shweetie. Julianne wants to know what you can do with a
tail and Allisa’s question is how versatile is it. Specif-if-if-ically.

Mirry:

*raising brows* I covered all that in my encyclopedia.

Denise:

*wailing* But Mirreeee–

Mirry:

*hastily* All right, all right. Stop with the noise. *sitting back to lecture*
The Aetherii tail is very strong and flexible. It can be used as a
weapon, a tool, a flight stabilizer, even a means of expression.

Denise:

*pouting* We already knew that. What else can it do? *whispering* You know.

Mirry:

Oh, I see. *peering into glass* Lady D., this is a little…ah…personal.

Denise:

Please, Mirry.

Mirry:

*smiling* You beg very
prettily, you know that? Had you thought of–? Never mind. All right - a
tail is very useful for…mmm…self-pleasure.

Denise:

*licking lips* Go on.

Mirry:

*grinning* Also for pleasuring others. Undo another button and I’ll demonstrate.

Denise:

*fumbling with buttons* Yesh, yesh. Ooooh… *whimpering* Oh. My. God. I see what you mean.

Mirry:

Should I stop? Your eyes have crossed.

Denise:

Shit, no! I mean, no sacrifice ish too great for my readers.

Mirry:

A tail can also be used to bring a woman the ultimate pleasure. You understand?

Denise:

*wriggling* You’re going to - *gulping* - demonstrate?

Mirry:

Sorry, chick. I have to fly tonight. Can’t get the tail all wet. What was that?

Denise:

*sulking* Nothing. *brightening, muttering under breath* Wait, wait, there’s an alternative. Hang in there, woman.

Mirry:

Come on, Lady D. *coaxing* Cheer up. What are these pink things? Fruits? They remind me of nipples.

Denise:

*still sulking* Shtrawberries. You dip them in the melted chocolate there.

Mirry:

*licking a choc-coated strawberry very, very slowly* Gods, that’s amazing. *chewing* Almost as good as sex. Chocolate, you say? *running tongue over lips*

Denise:

*suddenly inspired* Let me help you. *knocking dish with elbow* Oh heavens, how clumshy of me. Now there’s chocolate all over your breeches.

Mirry:

*sighs* You can’t hold your liquor, can you, Lady D.?

Denise:

*murmuring* Oh, I don’t know.

Mirry:

Now I’ll have to take them off.

Denise:

*making wide eyes* No, really?

Mirry:

*severely* Yes, really. Ask me another question while I do it. These are a little tight.

Denise:

*clenching fists in lap so as not to grab* Sure. Little Lamb Lost asks you to share a tale that Fledge or Jan would find too ticklish to tell.

Oh, oh. OH! Holy hell!

Mirry:

*folding neatly* You look very strange. You’re not going to faint, aren’t you?

Denise:

Nnngh! *rolling tongue back into mouth* Maybe. Better hold onto me. The room’s shpinning. All that wine.

Mirry:

*leaping to comply* Veil-it, you’re a funny one. I’ll carry you over to the bed, shall I?

Denise:

Oh yesh, darling. Please. *clutching* There really isn’t any hair on your body, is there? Just acres and acres of smooth, golden skin and…feathers. So shmooth. *gurgling*

Mirry:

There you go. Move over. A ticklish story? *chuckling*
There was the time we took Fledge to Feolin to find her family and Trey
kept insisting on calling her by her real names - all three of them.

Denise:

*foggily* Her names? Why? Hic! Oh, ’scuse me. *covering mouth with hand*

Mirry:

Turns out her father really was a Feolin prince after all, the Queen’s
brother, so Trey’s her cousin. He’s a shocking tease. Good man, though.
Tough.

Denise:

*dreamily* Oh, I know, I
know. Heck, I nearly forgot! Ingrid and Sinna want to know if you’re
planning on having children and if so, when.

*silence*

Mirry?

Mirry:

*speaking slowly* Sorry, Lady
D. It’s a bit of a painful subject. There’s no recorded offspring from
the mating of an Aetherii and one of the Grounded. Not thus far. If it
happens, it happens, but we always knew, so. *shrugging* Either of us would be proud to be father, so it doesn’t matter who… Anyhow - *forcing a smile* - trying’s a lot of fun.

Denise:

*sniffling* Oh, that’s sho shad.

Mirry:

Hey, don’t cry for me, little one. I’ve got Fledge and Jan. How could I not be happy? Come and cuddle under this wing.

Denise:

Oh, all right, if it makes you feel better. Wrap your tail around my waist, so I can shtroke, I mean stroke, it. *burps in a genteel fashion*
Here’sh a good one. Clynax asks, does your vast knowledge help you or
hurt you when it comes to meeting the overall needs of two people that
you so clearly love?

Mirry:

*raising brows* Hmm, now that’s a challenging one, Lady Clynax. Let me see. I have to admit, sometimes it gets in the way, you know? *biting his lip*
Just between you and me, it doesn’t necessarily follow that
intellectual brilliance ensures perception or sensitivity to the needs
of others. Yes, I know. *frowning* I found it hard to credit myself at first. But I do my best.

I suspect Fledge finds my scholarly preoccupations amusing on occasion.
And I know for certain that Jan does. On the other hand, *brightening* they both love to assist in the practical aspects of my research on sex and sexuality.

Denise:

*muttering* I bet. Me too,
schweetie, me too. Hic! This one’s from Beth. What’s the most erotic
thing that has ever happened to you? And Allisa wants to know what
first attracted you to Fledge. Was it just her innocence? Or something
more?

Mirry:

*smiling* Ah Fledge, sweet Fledge. *thinking hard* Yes, it was her innocence, the beauty of her soul. *flushing a little* Sorry, if that sounds stupid. *clearing throat*
But also her sheer guts. And brains. Have to love a woman who can argue
me to a standstill. Not to mention the prettiest tits I’ve ever seen
and the most kissable mouth and the most biteable ass and–

You’re moaning out loud, Lady D. What are you staring at?

Oh, that. *chuckling*

Can’t help it, I’m afraid. Just the thought of her.

Denise:

*lifting her heavy head from Mirry’s chest to peer more closely* I’m going to die. Any minute, I’m going to freakin’ die. Hic! Bloody wine, just when…

*making a huge effort* And the most erotic thing?

Mirry:

*smiling widely* No contest.
My Mating Flight with Fledge and Jan. And knowing I can do it again,
any time I can talk them into it. Which isn’t exactly difficult.

Denise:

My head’s shpinning. Sinna wants to know if your story is over. *sobbing* Tell me it isn’t, please, please, Mirry!

Mirry:

You know it isn’t, you foolish woman. I’m going to be happy forever in
readers’ minds and never grow old. I’ll always be glowing, all perfect
and sexy, part of what Fledge calls the magic of story.

Denise:

*mistily* Ooooh, that’sh boooful. *blinking sleepily*

Mirry:

*looking down his body* I think I’d better take this home *grinning wickedly* where I can put it to good use.

Denise:

Lasht question. Hic! Promishe.

Mirry:

All right. And then I have a gift for you.

Denise:

Can you give it to me while I’m lying down?

*making an heroic effort for readers* Joey W. Hill asks, “What’s your favorite fantasy involving Fledge? And Jan? And Fledge and Jan?”

Mirry:

That’s three questions.

Denise:

Joey’s a multi, multi - *triumphantly* - multitasker!

Mirry:

*grinning evilly* Never mind,
the answer’s the same. My ultimate fantasy is to tie Jan down with
ropes of featherpearls, so he can’t move a muscle. And then - *taking a deep breath* - oh yes.

Denise:

*weakly* And then?

Mirry:

*showing his teeth* I get to
do to him what he’s done to me. But I make him beg for it until he’s
hoarse. And Fledge gets to make him scream. What she can do with her
mouth is incredible. *grinning* Did you know I went through the drawer next to your bed? For research purposes, of course.

Denise:

*moaning* Nooo…

Mirry:

*nodding* And I found a lot of interesting toys, toys you can’t get on Phoenix. Perfect to spring on Jan as a surprise. *chuckling* But don’t worry, Lady D., I left you the bright green one - *shuddering* - and I’m giving you something in return.

Denise:

*mumbling* Musht…shtay…awake.

Mirry:

*reaching for shirt and breeches* Where did it go? Ah, here you are. A short string of featherpearls, from Jan and me, with our love.

Denise:

*weeping* Shweet…sho shweet.

Mirry:

They’re especially big ones, because they have a particular purpose. Can you guess what it is? *winking*

Denise:

Ummmm. Mirr…eeeeee… Mmmm…

Mirry:

I’ll show you if you like.

Denise:

*snoooork*

Mirry:

Oh. *shrugging* Strange woman. Shame, could have been fun. *tugging on the breeches very carefully and grabbing the shirt* Now, where’s that cat?

Life is full of missed opportunities. It’s also grossly unfair. *sigh*

It’s newsletter time, which means…

Rackety Kate and the Pirates

Chapter 17

Luxury Goods

The story so far:

Kate and Jack have a “heart-to-heart” that really is. When Peter
arrives, she discovers to her astonishment that among the items on
offer at the pirate auction are Tom Cavanagh, the Comte de Nothos, the
Duchess and Peter.


You can read all of Kate here – http://www.deniserossetti.com/kate.html

“Best seat in the house.” Jack nuzzled Kate’s hair. “Comfortable?”

Kate murmured her assent, stroking the arm he’d wrapped under her
ribs. Though it wasn’t strictly true. Her heart thumped with a heavy
expectant beat and she tingled as though her veins bubbled with
champagne. But, yes, her body was also magnificently languid, almost
boneless. After Peter had departed, Jack taken her to a sort of outdoor
bathroom, roofed with a pergola draped with sweet-scented, flowering
vines and fed by two trickling streams that splashed into a shallow
rock-lined pool, one cool and one so hot it steamed.

He’d refused to let her do anything for herself, tenderly washing
her hair and rinsing it, massaging her scalp until she purred. He’d
been equally meticulous with the rest of her, soaping every inch of her
skin with his hands. Of course, he’d lingered over her breasts, her
bottom, her thighs. Grinning, his glorious chest rising and falling
with his quickened breath, he’d made absolutely certain the quivering
folds of her sex were squeaky clean.

But when she reached for him, he backed away. “Later,” he said cryptically. “It’ll be worth the wait.”

Then he’d dried her off with big fluffy towels, laid her down on a
clean one and proceeded to massage fragrant oils into every inch of her
skin. God, it had been heaven. As for the foot rub–! When he pressed
his thumbs hard all along her sole, she’d nearly come then and there.

He’d allowed her to kiss him, giving her his mouth, deep and soft and wet.

With a final smile, he carried her back to the hammock, covered her
with a light linen sheet, pecked her cheek like a brother, and left her
to doze contentedly in the perfumed shade.

She’d woken to the drift of soft fabric against her cheek and opened
her eyes to see Jack holding an armful of diaphanous fabric. “Let’s get
you dressed,” he said, the tiger eyes glinting.

***

Want more? You can read all of Kate and see more pirates on the Rackety Kate page. Want even more than that? Join my newsletter - see below.

Subscribers to my newsletter get to interfere with Kate’s love life. Sign up to join the fun!

It’s newsletter time, which means…

Rackety Kate and the Pirates

Chapter 16

Feint and Return

The story so far:

The orgiastic battle of wills is virtually a dead-heat, Kate wins by a
gasp, but she and Jack discover their strong, possessive feelings are
mutual. Everyone finds satisfaction in their own way, such a
considerable achievement that Kate passes out in gratitude.



You can read all of Kate here – http://www.deniserossetti.com/kate.html

Someone was stroking Kate’s hair, very gently. A woman’s voice said, “I think she’s coming ..round.”

“No,” whispered Kate. “Not yet. Please.”

The woman went on talking, but another voice rode over the top of
her, drowning her out – a deep, burnished baritone with a beguiling
lilt to it. “C’mon, pretty Kate, open your eyes.”

Kate shot upright with a gasp – and nearly tipped herself ass over elbow out of the hammock.

“Whoa!” Jack caught her shoulders and held her steady. “Welcome
back, sweetheart.” His tiger eyes danced, but he wasn’t smiling. He
looked almost…sad. He was seated in a throne-like chair, woven out of
golden cane.

Kate gripped his arm, feeling the heat of muscled flesh through the
thin fabric of his shirt. “I nearly…” She swallowed. “I don’t know how
much longer I have left.”

When Jack smoothed a hand over her hair, the sensation felt both
beloved and familiar, as if he’d been doing it for some time. Kate
found herself leaning into his touch, like a cat begging for a caress.
He pressed his lips lightly to hers. Then he kissed her eyelids, the
tip of her nose. “Look at me.”

She stared into his burning gaze, drowning. A flush stained his
cheeks above the trim beard. “What I said, before at the pool…” He came
to a dead halt, clearing his throat.

Kate could barely speak. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw the
Hormone Harlots, perched on the railing of what she realized now was
the shady verandah of a palm-thatched bungalow. They appeared to be
holding their breath, their wings barely stirring in the balmy air. She
knew how they felt.

“Yes?” Her lips formed the word, but no sound came out.

“I’ve never said that to any woman, ever. Never wanted to.”

“Did you mean it?”

Some of the old arrogance resurfaced. His eyes flashed. “Bloody Jack Cavanagh doesn’t say things he doesn’t mean.”

Kate pressed closer. “Then say it again.”

Jack balked. “You first.”

“No, you.”

They glared at each other, the air vibrating with tension.

Want more? You can read all of Kate and see more pirates on the Rackety Kate page. Want even more than that? Join my newsletter - see below.

Subscribers to my newsletter get to interfere with Kate’s love life. Sign up to join the fun!

You may know it’s been incredibly hot
all through eastern Australia - as in INCREDIBLY hot! Temperatures of
over 90F every single day. Blech!

These amazing photos have been doing the email rounds
lately. The story goes that this little koala (it’s certainly not fully
grown) wandered onto a back porch in South Australia looking for some
heat relief. The householder filled up a bucket and this is what
happened!

I must admit, I’m not very knowledgeable about koalas, so I’m happy
to be corrected about any of this. They’re not bears, of course,
they’re marsupials - the females nurture the young in a pouch. I’ve
never heard of one drinking water like this. Normally, they get the
moisture they need from the gum leaves they eat. This one must have
been desperate, especially with humans so dangerously close.

They’re cute, all right, but you wouldn’t want to tangle with a
mature koala - look at this little guy’s claws! And they make the most
extraordinary, spine-chilling noises. Years ago, My Beloved and I were
walking through bushland in country Victoria when we heard this long,
drawn-out, banshee howl. I was convinced it was the legendary bunyip,
coming to devour us. But no, high up in a gum tree was a big boy koala,
head thrown back, mouth wide-open, bellowing his mating cry. He was so
totally ready for lurve. I hope he found it!

And I’ve just remembered - years ago, when I was first writing, my
daughter and I mucked around with an idea for a YA fun novel about
vampire koalas. And it was all based on that terrifying cry out in the
lonely Bush. Hmm, maybe I should write it. I have the first draft
somewhere…

Got a good story about animals cooling down? Or just a koala comment? I’d love to hear it!

Win a signed copy of THE FLAME AND THE SHADOW! 

THE QUESTION:

One review referred to “the clever names of the main characters” in
THE FLAME AND THE SHADOW. I thought they were pretty clever too, but
then you know how I love to play with words!

Tell me what word or words EITHER of the names is derived from or
related to and why it’s clever. (You can lie to satisfy my vanity,
okay? *grin*)

Remember, you only need to work out the derivation of ONE of the names, not both.

TWO HINTS:

1. Cenda is a FIRE witch.

2. Grayson (Gray), Duke of Ombra is a sorcerer of SHADOWS.

WHAT TO DO:

Email me your answer. deniserossetti @ gmail.com (no spaces, of course!)

CLOSES:

Midnight, Sunday 15th February, 2009

Order from Amazon or Barnes and Noble

Read an Excerpt

.. ..

I’ve just heard that TAILSPIN is on the Ellora’s Cave print list for the northern Spring!

Yeehah! I’m soooo excited. Can you tell?

That’s about all I know for the moment, but I’m over the moon about it. Finally!

If you click the cover below, you can read the first chapter.  Happy, happy, happy…

www.deniserossetti.com/tailspin.html if MySpace is being silly.

From his magnificent tawny wings to his wicked feathery tail, Miriliel the Burnished is masculine perfection.

One glance, and Fledge knows she’s
outclassed. After all, she’s a small, ordinary circus girl with no
education, no looks and no prospects. Mirry’s not only a warrior of the
Aetherii but a scholar of renown. Mesmerized by the power of his
personality and her desire to be mastered, Fledge gives herself up for
lost.

But she can’t help thinking, if only she had wings, she’d soar with Mirry in a Mating Flight for the ages. If only.

Mirry has lots of things on his oh-so clever mind. An ageless demon’s
captured his friend, Janarnavriel the Noir, and it’s using the dark
warrior’s beautiful body for a perverted playground.

All Mirry has to do is rescue his
friend, finish his encyclopedia and educate Fledge. By the time he’s
finished, she’ll know how to read, write and submit for her
pleasure-and his. In between, he needs to kill a deathless demon, sort
out his complicated feelings for Jan and show Fledge the secret of an
Aetherii orgasm.

Not to worry. He’s made a list.

It’s newsletter time, which means…

Rackety Kate and the Pirates

Chapter 14

A Battle of Wills

 The story so far:

We left Kate mid-orgy, with Jack and his four pirates. Everyone
has a part to play – Duka is providing some sanity, Peter the seating
and Chan and Harley the tortures of the damned for Jack.

Jack’s tiger gaze, fierce and golden, captured Kate’s.  “Is this
what you want, pretty Kate?” His breath hitched as Harley leaned in to
nuzzle his hip. “Is it?”

Kate quivered, feeling Peter throbbing high and hard inside her like
a second heartbeat, his lips feathering over her shoulder, his breath
hurried and hot. “Nngh,” she said. “Y-yes.”

Jack stood before her like an offering to some pagan goddess, the
whole line of his body a taut harmony of bone and muscle and tawny
skin. Kate’s gaze traveled from his knuckles, white with strain, where
his fists were wrapped around the tree branch above his head, to the
sculpted planes of his heaving chest. She loved the diagonal notches
where his cobbled belly intersected with his hips, his magnificent
thighs, strong and graceful and dusted lightly with golden hair, the
shining honey-brown of his pubic thatch. It didn’t seem possible for
him to get any harder, but he did, swelling another amazing half-inch
as she watched.

What Chan and Harley were doing was so erotic she couldn’t think
straight – nipping, and mouthing and nibbling, everywhere save where
Jack obviously wanted it the most, if the helpless roll of his hips was
any indication.

And yet, he made no sound, save for harsh panting, his eyes fixed on
Kate’s, so that she was devoured by his gaze. She couldn’t fathom why
it should be, but she was as much prey as if he’d been a tiger in truth
and she something small and quivering, trapped beneath his heavy paw.

Kate struggled, drowning, conscious of the small voices of Ess and
Tess, tiny cheerleaders. “C’mon, Katie, you can do it, you can do it!”

The slow movement of Duka’s huge palm, rubbing circles on her belly was somehow soothing. It gave her strength, confidence.

“Go on,” she said to Harley and Chan, able to achieve no more than a tortured whisper. “For God’s sake, go on!”

Want more? You can read all of Kate and see more pirates on the Rackety Kate page. Want even more than that? Join my newsletter - see below.

First of all, my dears, Happy
Holidays to each and every one of you. However you choose to celebrate,
may you and yours have a loving, safe and cheerful Festive Season. Here
in Oz, the Powers That Be are encouraging us all to spend up big to
stimulate the economy. There’ll be smoked salmon and prawns and ham and
watermelon and stone fruit. Every year, My Beloved thinks up a
different glaze for the ham and we have to guess what’s in it. I
suspect there may be more than a touch of genuine maple syrup this time!

 ~~~A Gift for All of Us~~~

Last Christmas, I bought us all a charity gift, and it gave me such
satisfaction to think we were helping, even in a small way, that I’ve
decided to do it again. This time, I’ve chosen a gift in honour of my
grandmothers - and yours. A wonderful insitution, grandparents, such a
blessing in the life of a child.

The
(Australian) Indigenous grandmother’s group brings together Indigenous
female elders, who meet each week. Through the group, these elders are
able to pass on their cultural history and provide advice to young
Indigenous people. Help those in the know with the support they need to
create positive change.

There’s more information here. http://www.oxfamunwrapped.com.au/Product.php?productid=111

Could I encourage you to consider sites like this in your own
country? Not only for Christmas, but for every gift-giving occasion.
There’s something suitable for everyone in your life – right down to a
lump of manure for that crappy cousin, or a bridge for an engineer DH
or a piglet for your sister or a sewing machine for grandma. Such a
practical way to make a difference.

Christmas with Louise

If you’re drinking coffee, better put it down before reading any further. Don’t say I didn’t warn you!

This article was submitted to a newspaper contest to find out who had the wildest Christmas dinners. It won first prize.

As a joke, my brother used to hang a pair of
pantyhose over his fireplace before Christmas. He said all he wanted
was for Santa to fill them. What they say about Santa checking the list
twice must be true because every Christmas morning, although Jay’s
kids’ stockings were overflowed, his poor pantyhose hung sadly empty.

One year I decided to make his dream come true. I put
on sunglasses and went in search of an inflatable love doll. They don’t
sell those things at Walmart. I had to go to an adult bookstore
downtown.

If you’ve never been in an X-rated store, don’t go!
You’ll only confuse yourself. I was there an hour saying things like,
“What does this do? You’re kidding me! Who would buy that?” Finally, I
made it to the inflatable doll section. I told the guy behind the
counter I wanted to buy a standard, uncomplicated doll that could also
substitute as a passenger in my truck so I could use the car pool lane
during rush hour. Finding what I wanted was difficult. Love dolls come
in many different models. The top of the line, according to the side of
the box, could do things I’d only seen in a book on animal husbandry. I
settled for Lovable Louise. She was at the bottom of the price scale.
To call Louise a doll took a huge leap of imagination.

On Christmas Eve and with the help of an old bicycle
pump, Louise came to life. My sister-in-law was in on the plan and let
me in during the wee morning hours. Long after Santa had come and gone,
I filled the dangling pantyhose with Louise’s pliant legs and bottom. I
also ate some cookies and drank what remained of a glass of milk on a
nearby tray. I went home, and giggled for a couple of hours.

The next morning my brother called to say that Santa
had been to his house and left a present that had made him VERY happy
but had left the dog confused. She would bark, start to walk away, then
come back and bark some more. We all agreed that Louise should remain
in her panty hose so the rest of the family could admire her when they
came over for the traditional Christmas dinner.

My grandmother noticed Louise the moment she walked in the door. “What the hell is that?” she asked.

My brother quickly explained, “It’s a doll.”

“Who would play with something like that?” Granny snapped.

I had several candidates in mind, but kept my mouth shut.

“Where are her clothes?” Granny continued.

“Boy, that turkey sure smells nice, Gran,” Jay said, to steer her into the dining room.

But Granny was relentless. “Why doesn’t she have any teeth?”

Again, I could have answered, but why would I? It was
Christmas and no one wanted to ride in the back of the ambulance
saying, “Hang on Granny, hang on!”

My grandfather, a delightful old man with poor
eyesight, sidled up to me and said, “Hey, who’s the naked gal by the
fireplace?” I told him she was Jay’s friend.

A few minutes later I noticed Grandpa by the mantel,
talking to Louise. Not just talking, but actually flirting. It was then
that we realized this might be Grandpa’s last Christmas at home.

The dinner went well. We made the usual small talk
about who had died, who was dying, and who should be killed, when
suddenly Louise made a noise like my father in the bathroom in the
morning. Then she lurched from the pantyhose, flew around the room
twice, and fell in a heap in front of the sofa.

The cat screamed. I passed cranberry sauce through my
nose, and Grandpa ran across the room, fell to his knees, and began
administering mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. My brother fell back over
his chair and wet his pants. Granny threw down her napkin, stomped out
of the room, and sat in the car.

It was indeed a Christmas to treasure and remember.

Later in my brother’s garage, we conducted a thorough
examination to decide the cause of Louise’s collapse. We discovered
that Louise had suffered from a hot ember to the back of her right
thigh. Fortunately, thanks to a wonder drug called duct tape, we
restored her to perfect health!

All the very best to you and yours,

Denise

Have you done it yet? The Christmas shopping, I mean. I haven't even started. Aaaaargh!

My sister has it all done - and wrapped - by October. October! Grrr… One day, I'm going to hit her over the head with a Christmas tree. No jury of sisters would convict me.

In My Beloved's family, all adults go in to a Secret Santa draw, so you only have to buy for one person. Whew! What a relief! We give the children, but that's pure fun. I always buy them books and I simply adore choosing them.

But in my family, which is admittedly smaller, it's pressies for all. Oh my Lord, what to get for my Mum, who insists she doesn't want "her girls" spending their hard-earned money on little old her? More grrr… Then there's My Beloved, who has so many clothes, he can't close the wardrobe doors. He isn't a gardener or a handyman either, just not interested in hardware. *sigh*

Any ideas for my mother (in her seventies), my brother-in-law the cop, or My Beloved? All suggestions gratefully received. I guess there's always gift vouchers, but I always feel just that bit guilty about giving them. And this despite the fact they're a genuinely sensible gift.

What do you think about gift vouchers? And people who do their Christmas shopping in October? Are you ready for Christmas? I'm not!

Is this not the most gorgeous, sexy,
feminine cover you’ve seen in your life? Truly, the Cover Fairy has
been good to me. I don’t usually post such large images, but I just
couldn’t resist that cheeky little slice of bottom. And if you think
it’s pretty on your computer screen, you should see the cover flat
Berkley sent me.  I can’t wait to hold the book in my hot little hands!

As you may have guessed, each story in this anthology centres on the
theme of corsets. And each one is completely different from the others.
Such a smorgasbord!

So because this is the first time
we’ve appeared in an anthology together, the “J-girls” and I will be
running a cross-blog on Wednesday 3rd December. Visit each of us for a
“first”, plus the chance to win autographed books at each blog.

It’s going to be so much fun. A real trip down memory lane.
Honestly, reading our first time stories, I don’t know whether to
giggle or wince - or both. *rolls eyes*

Here you go -

First Kiss: Jaci Burton - http://www.jaciburton.com/blog

First Date: Jasmine Haynes - http://www.jasminehaynes.blogspot.com

First Love: Joey W. Hill - http://www.storywitch.com/wordpress/

First Breakup: Denise Rossetti - http://www.deniserossetti.com/blog/

Tomorrow, I’ll post the first of a series of excerpts, but in the meantime, here’s the back cover blurb ~

Four mistresses of erotic romance unleash
their most irresistibly dangerous fantasies in this sensational
anthology of lust and lingerie…

So many delicious surprises under a corset…Such fine exquisite lace.
Such warm soft leather. Such a nice tight fit. Such impressive boning.
Here are four all-new stories from four hot authors that erotica fans
will find irresistible…

Come undone with Jaci Burton…Sixteen years is a long time to carry a torch for your ex. It’s high time

they act on long-dormant desires and reignite the flame that still burns inside them both.

Unwind with Jasmine Haynes…A wanting woman arrives at the perfect solution for exploring sensual

freedom: open herself up to an amateur photographer with no limits—and an uncensored appreciation for

the female body.

Let loose with Joey Hill…What does a hiker do when he comes upon a girl wearing only ivory panties,

and stretched out invitingly on the warm leather seat of a Harley? Anything she tells him.

Submit to Denise Rossetti…As the laces of a stunning ruby-trimmed corset tighten, so too does the grip of

an inescapable sorceress’s curse—one with the power to transform any woman into a dominating femme

fatale.

Free your inhibitions with…

Unlaced

Order from Amazon

Sorry, folks.  Here at Chez Rossetti,
our telephone and Net access has been going up and down like a yo-yo. 
We’ve had wild storms - high winds, lightning, hail. Flash flooding
too. Pretty scary. Before you ask, we’re fine here, no damage, though
others haven’t been so lucky.

It’s the strangest thing, though, every time we’ve been cut off,
I’ve felt like I lost a limb. Or that I’m blind, deaf and dumb, like
Tommy the pinball wizard in the rock opera by The Who.

What I especially missed was the Net and email.  I had NO idea I was
so dependent on it for communication and it’s a bit sobering. I’ve said
before, in a joking way, that I need a 12-step program for email
addiction. I’m beginning to think it’s not quite so funny. Of course,
in self-defence, I can point out that I do business by email with my
agent and editor, who are both in New York, but still…

What about you? Are you addicted to
email? What about blogs? How much of your time is spent on email or
even just surfing the Net?

MySpace won't let me post more than this, so if you want to read further, visit my main blog - http://www.deniserossetti.com/blog/

It’s newsletter time tomorrow, which means…

Rackety Kate and the Pirates

Chapter 13

Calling the Shots

Jack stared across the clearing, a challenge in his tiger eyes. “So,” he said. “You’re giving the orders, are you Kate?”

Achingly conscious of Duka’s heat and bulk at her back, Peter’s handon her waist, Kate shook her head. “No,” she husked. She glanced atHarley’s bad boy grin, Chan’s calm, focused expression. Somethingbubbled inside her, something very like mischief - intertwined with joy.

Want more? You can read all of Kate and see more pirates on the Rackety Kate page. Want even more than that? Join my newsletter - see below.

Subscribers to my newsletter get to interfere with Kate’s love life. Sign up to join the fun!

  You have to wonder. Some people seem to have a tenuous grip on reality…

A Japanese man has enlisted hundreds of people in a campaign to allow marriages between humans and cartoon characters, saying he feels more at ease in the “two-dimensional world.” He even launched an online petition aiming for one million signatures to present to the government to establish a law on marriages with cartoon characters.  Within a week he has gathered more than 1,000 signatures.

Of course, this is all about “manga” comic books, which are incredibly popular in Japan - and it’s not clear how tongue-in-cheek the suggestion is. I do have to say that some of the “yaoi” boys drawn by Japanese artists are very sexy, in a willowy, big-eyed kind of way, but I don’t think I’d want to marry one. (Not only that, he wouldn’t want to marry me, given I have the wrong plumbing.)

Who would you pick as your comic book lust object? I’m partial to the Phantom, always have been. I think what I like is that he doesn’t have any superpowers, just abs of steel and his skull ring. He also has sufficient nerve to wear his undies on the outside, plus he’s a dedicated family man and all around decent guy.

On the other hand, there’s Wolverine. Fancy him rotten, (especially when it’s Hugh Jackman) though those blades could be a worry in moments of passion…

The boss had to fire somebody, and he narrowed it down to one of two people, Tracy or Jack..

It was an impossible decision because they were both super workers.

Rather than flip a coin, he decided he would fire the first one who used the water cooler the next morning.

Tracy came in the next morning with a horrible hangover after partying all night.

She went to the cooler to take an aspirin.

The boss approached her and said:

‘Tracy, I’ve never done this before, but I either have to lay you or Jack off .’

‘Could you jack off?’ she replied, ‘I’ve got a headache.’

If you know other jokes like this, that depend on a wordplay, I’d love to see them! Maybe we could put them together in a post.