Christmas traditions......

This is the closest I can come to a bayberry candle, which is my family tradition at Christmas. I've written about this before, but am going to repeat myself since I never fail to burn one, although bayberry candles are hard for a gal in southern California to find. I ordered them this year from a candle maker in Cape Cod, since I've converted some of my friends and they want to be supplied with their own candle too.  My true bayberry candles are an unusual shade of green, with a little tint of yellow added to the green.
The traditional saying is: "A bayberry candle, burned to the socket, bring health to the home and wealth to the pocket"

Now who can resist a candle like that? Another saying is it lights the way of the Christ child to your home.

 

I'm hoping you can resist my Xmas release either. Unexpected Christmas is just released and tell the story of a Lord Sebastian, who must find a way to solve a most unusual problem

if he wants to claim his love. The problem could have been true in Regency

times. And no, you gotta read it yourself to find out what it is. It's erotic, and

just out from Ellora's Cave.

 

"Why did this one girl have such power over him? Surely it was only because there was no other distractions when they were so isolated.

He smiled a devilish grin.

“Did we set a forfeit for the loser? No, we did not. I therefore claim my winner’s prize.”

There in the snow he took her in his arms and kissed her with the passion that had been building for the last two days. Ever since she’s raised those glorious eyes. Great coats, capes, snow coating both their faces, nothing could dim his kiss and her passionate response.

When he could breathe again he did not release his hold on her.

“Caro, do you know where this is going? Do you even begin to know how much I want you?”

She was silent even as she snuggled as close to him as she could get.

“Yes, I think I do. It’s not nearly as much as I want you. But if I surrender we both know what that means. I’m not worthy of your notice in the ton where you shine. And I’m not really cut out to be a mistress. I need to think.”

“Ah, Caro. I want you more than I’ve ever wanted another woman.”

She moved away from him.

“I’m not sure that’s enough, Sebastian. Maybe for you. But maybe not for me.”

She struggled through the snowdrifts to the door of that disreputable inn, and then disappeared.

He stared after her. He’d told the truth when he said he wanted her more than he’d ever wanted another woman. That was clear even to his muddled head. But how to claim her without violating her considerable pride he did not know. And if he destroyed her shining integrity would he still desire her?

Even more important, would she still value herself?

Her frank response had amazed him.

He couldn’t see his desire fading, even though his history told him otherwise. He had a distinct impression his passion for Caro was of a different dimension.

But how did a simple man know?

He went back to bringing in the last of the logs and banking the fire in the kitchen stove to make it last as long as possible. With the eggs gone, they could go back to using the main fireplace. At least that provided a modicum of heat to the bedrooms above. At the thought of the coming night, he almost felt despair. He did not dare get in bed with her again. He’d be on top of her in a minute, parting those luscious legs and making her his.

He couldn’t do that to Caro.

He’d sleep on the floor and hope they were rescued before another night. They’d better be.

 

 

HAPPY HOLIDAYS to one and all !!!!!!