May We All Have Our Hopes, Our Will To Try

It is truly hard to believe that another year is already over. 2009 has been a pretty good year, all things considered. You can't get through a whole 12 months without some serious crap along the way, but in the grand scheme, compared to what others have gone through, my year was a breeze.

I'm so ready to tackle 2010 and see what the New Year will bring. 2009 was a good year for me professionally, as my publication rate increased by 50%. But, as with most things in life, I want more. And, if the gods smile upon me, 2010 just might be my year.

Thank you to everyone who's read the blog, read the stories, and been so supportive along the way. I wish all of you a wonderful and prosperous New Year. See you on the flip side!

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I Read The News Today, Oh Boy

There is a kick-ass review of my story, Holiday History, at Well Read today. Needless to say, I'm chuffed!! Here is the whole review.

Holiday History by Heidi Champa

Kevin's future is turned upside down when his father gambles away his college fund. Reduced to being an assistant to a painter and decorator, Kevin makes the best of his life as he scrimps and saves so he can go back to college and finish his degree in nautical history. Just before Christmas, Kevin's boss, Tim, gets them a job at a large house owned by a rich and lonely man, Gary.

Likes: I really liked Kevin. He was making the best of a situation which wasn't of his making and despite being from a rich a privileged background, he never looked down his nose at the blue collar, Tim.

Dislikes: Not much to dislike here, other than I wanted it to be longer as the ending was a little sudden.

Overall: This is my pick for the week, a cute story about how love can find you when you least expect it and change your life for the better.

Grade: Excellent.

You can check out reviews of the other Dreamspinner Mistletoe Madness stories and many other books at the site. I'm back to work, with a little extra spring in my step!
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So Goodbye, Sweet Appetite

I'm seriously thinking of never eating again. After all the over-indulging I did over the weekend and during the Christmas festivities, it might be in my best interest.

Despite my food binge, it was a great time. It was great to see everyone and get a few presents along the way. Now, I'm ready to get back down to it. Well, so I think, anyway. Time will tell.

The only candy I'm allowing myself this week is Man Candy. Less calories that way.

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I Don't Want A Lot For Christmas, There's Just One Thing I Need

So, it's Christmas Eve, and that means 11 Pipers Piping is the featured Ravenous Rendezvous Christmas story today. It is just 99 cents and festive as hell. So, before you fall into too much Christmas spirits, check it out.

I also want to take the chance to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas. May it be wonderful, magical and fun. I hope Santa is good to you all and brings you everything you want. Fess up, have you been naughty or nice?
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My True Love Sent To Me

Ravenous Romance has some amazing Christmas deals. Now, you can get all 12 days of Christmas in one convenient package. 12 sexy stories all for 99 cents. And, no feathers!! Plus, it has a super-hot cover.

12 Hot Days Of Christmas is the Book of The Day over at Ravenous and contains the 11 Pipers Piping as well as all the other birds, maids, lords, drummers, etc. to complete the song. How can you say no?

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Sometimes I Forget What I'm Doing, I Don't Forget What I Want

#2 and #9. Not bad at all.
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My Watch Has Stopped, No More Turning Hands

My body is not happy with me right now. All that wonderful snow this weekend had to be shovelled, and now I'm an achy mess. Damn, that white stuff sure was heavy. But, now that we are cleared out a bit, it looks nice and Christmasy around here.

Speaking of, it's kind of hard to believe that Christmas is so close. I keep wondering where all my time is going, but it seems a futile cause. I'm back in the saddle and back on deadline, trying to finish up a bunch of things before I run headlong into my Christmas food coma.

Just a reminder, I have some Christmas stories out there that are priced to move for your last minute holiday needs. 11 Pipers Piping and Holiday History are sure to get you in the spirit and the mood. And, don't forget to check out the new Ravenous anthology, I Kissed A Boy. I'd love to see it as the #1 Bestseller on the site as an early Christmas gift!

In case you missed it, I'd like to send out another "On Ya!" to the DC City Council for voting to legalize gay marriage. Let's just hope Congress doesn't try and fuck it up.

Nothing warms the heart and soul like Man Candy. Just as good as hot cocoa, but with no calories.

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I've Heard That You'll Try Anything Twice

I couldn't think of a better way to end my week than with an e-book from Ravenous Romance. Their offering today is I Kissed A Boy, an anthology of first time hot man-on-man action. In it, is my story, What a Piece of Work, Is a Man. It is the Book of the Day over at Ravenous, and also features Elizabeth Coldwell, Cecilia Tan, Ryan Field and Jean Roberta. The collection is edited by the fabulous Lori Perkins.

Check it out and let me know what you think!!
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We're Snuggled Up Together Like Two Birds of a Feather Would Be

Does Christmas make you randy? Well, it can, if you do it right. To help things along, I have two stories currently available for your horny holiday needs. They are super-cheap, electronic and there's nothing to wrap.

Holiday History is available through Dreamspinner Press and 11 Pipers Piping is available at Ravenous Romance.

Get into the spirit!

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Wearing Your Black Eye Like A Badge Of Honor

God, I just love this picture. What is it about hot, sweaty football players that is just so damned appealing? It amazes me sometimes that men watch football at all. I needed a whole team of Man Candy this week. I've got a lot to do and I needed some extra motivation.

Also, I wanted to take the chance to say "On Ya!" to Houston, Texas. You have just become the largest city in the country to elect an openly gay mayor. Good work!

It's always nice to start the week with a little positivity. Hopefully, the good vibes will continue.

*Thanks to Bastard Life for the picture.

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Can You Put Me On The List?

Violet Blue has compiled her list of the Hottest Sex Books of 2009. The list is indeed hot as hell, and contains works written by the likes of Sommer Marsden and Saskia Walker and books edited by Rachel Kramer Bussel, DL King, Richard Labonte, and Sacchi Green.

I mention it because the Number 1 item on the list is Playing With Fire, edited by the wonderful Alison Tyler. This is one of my favorite collections of the year, that also features my story, The Last Cigarette. I'm honored to be a small part of the collection that topped Violet's annual list. If you haven't checked it out yet, you really should. Here's what Violet had to say:

1. Playing With Fire: Taboo Erotica Edited by Alison Tyler.

Topping the list (heh) is the mistress of literary erotica, the bestselling and award-winning Alison Tyler, who not only knows how to write one hell of a dirty story, but puts together collections that become overnight classics packed with mesmerizing, arousing and inspiring stories. "Playing With Fire" is Tyler at her finest, and the stories feature (heterosexual) couples who play with their most daring sexual fantasies, explicitly penned by today's hottest erotic authors. It's not to be missed.

So, congrats to all involved and everyone else on the list. And, of course Violet, for her great taste!

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More In My Mind Than In My Pocket

I spoke too soon about my cold. My sinuses are really bothering me and I'm feeling like crap. I did, however, get some good news about my car. I thought it wasn't long for this world, since it was in need of a major and costly repair that we can't afford. It was also in need of a state inspection that we let go for a couple of months while we thought about ditching it all together. Turns out, despite its torque converter issues, it still passed inspection. So, now we can drive it until the thing falls apart and then cut our loses.

More good news, The Erotic Woman has my story Behind Those Eyes up as the feature story today. It was the first thing I ever sent to them and I'm happy to see it back in the limelight. There's also some more good news on the horizon, which I want to share. But, it will have to wait a wee bit longer.

Now, where did I put those tissues?

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She'll Change So Suddenly, She's Just Like Mercury

I finally had to break down and get myself one of these fabulous necklaces by Robbie Jenkins that Alison has been talking about forever. I debated and debated what word to get, and suddenly a few weeks ago, it all became clear. Mercurial has become one of my favorite words and it has recently been at the forefront of my mind. It seemed like the perfect choice, especially for a piece of wonderful jewelry. For those of you who don't know here's the definition.

MERCURIAL: mer·cu·ri·al

adj.
1. often Mercurial
a. Roman Mythology Of or relating to the god Mercury.
b. Astronomy Of or relating to the planet Mercury.
2. Having the characteristics of eloquence, shrewdness, swiftness, and thievishness attributed to the god Mercury.
3. Containing or caused by the action of the element mercury.
4. Quick and changeable in temperament; volatile: a mercurial nature.

It's definition Number 2 I like the best. Although, some might say I'm more Number 4. Either way, I love the word and I'm completely in love with my necklace. So thanks Robbie and thanks Alison for putting the bug in my ear. It was the perfect way to start my week.

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Won't You Tell Me What You're Thinking Of?

It was a bit of a crazy weekend. On Saturday, my man and I celebrated the 13th anniversary of our first date. It snowed that day too, so it was the perfect reminder of that moment when we realized we were totally into each other. While we did not go to Denny's to share the sampler like we did so many years ago, it was still a pretty damn good day.

Despite the first inklings of feeling under the weather, I feel better today and am hoping whatever this is will just go away quietly. I have a million things to do and I don't have time to be laid up with a cold.

So, I wish you all a wonderful start to your week. This Man Candy may help. If not, you should get your eyes checked. Don't you just love duct tape?

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It's The Good Advice, That You Just Didn't Take

I don't know if Golf Digest is going to go through with this cover article in light of recent events. Even if they do, I think it is safe to say that President Obama should maybe avoid the advice of Tiger Woods, at least for the moment, even if it is just about golf.

On the chance they don't run the article, I decided to put together the list of 10 things Obama can learn from Tiger myself. I've always loved The Onion, so I consider this an homage. While by no means a complete list, they are the most pertinent points at this juncture. So, if you will indulge me. Because, you have to laugh, don't you?

The Top 10 Tips Obama can take from Tiger

10) Never go to bed angry. If you fight with your spouse, or even another country, always talk it out. You never know when things might escalate. Case in point: Iran.

9) Never, ever take dating advice from a guy named Jesper.

8) When puting, make sure to read the green properly before you take the shot. (there had to be one golf one, right?)

7) When texting your mistress, don't include details about your dirty dreams, especially if they involve other famous people. Save your fantasies about her and Angela Merkel for when you are face to face.

6) If forced to leave a voicemail that may later prove to be incriminating, don't start it off with, "Hey, girl, it's the President."

5) It's good to share interests with your significant other. Just stay away from boxing, karate, anything with swinging clubs . . .

4) When issuing statements about "transgressions", don't admit too much. Torture and cheating aren't really that different: they both only exist if you get caught.

3) The press can be your friend or they can set up camp in the shrubs outside your house. Always have one reporter you can count on to be favorable. I'd recommend you stay on Keith Olbermann's good side.

2) Remember that while Australia may be a small country, they sure do love their gossip. Try flying your mistress to meet you some place less obvious: like Canada.

1) All the fancy book learning in the world can't save you from the mistakes of the Little Commander-in-Chief.

Now that is advice the President can use. Thanks for putting up with my silliness. As you were.

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Just One Day Out Of Life

It is nearly impossible for me to believe that it is December today. Time seems to be flying by and I'm not nearly ready for another new year to be upon us.

But, looking on the bright side, my story, Holiday History, is now available for purchase at Dreamspinner Press. At $2.99, it's a bargain for any budget and a must have for any smut aficionado on your holiday list. So, start your December off right, and indulge in some sexy holiday fun.

Also, Ravenous Romance is celebrating it's First Aniversary by selling all their E-Books for 99 cents. As some of you may know, I am featured in a few of these books. If you've still not purchased any, now is your chance to save big on some hot, hot smut!! Check my sidebar for all the stuff that's available through their site. Come on, economic crisis be damned, erotica is a necessity.

If you do pick any of these titles up, let me know what you think. I'm always interested in feedback and comments.
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