Sunday's Hunk of the Day!

I know he isn't the typical CBEB hunk, but, hey, he's got two eggs and really long....

ears! 

Happy Easter!

Saturday's Hunk of the Day!

Nothing quite like a little hot, wet Benji to get your weekend off to a good start!




Enjoy your Saturday!

Happy Saint Patrick's Day!

Since nobody requested an Irish hunk, I'm posting one of my own choice.
This is an Irish Draught (pronounced "draft") stallion.

And he is, indeed, quite a hunk! You could even call him a STUD!

I could be wrong, but I believe this fellow also has a bit of Irish in his bloodline.



































He's even got a shamrock tattoo!

Have a great day!

Whopping Weasel Wednesday!

I know this isn't the type of incredibly oversized and scary-looking whopper I normally post on a Wednesday, but when Sharon sent me these photos, I knew I had to get them up (pun intended) ASAP!

Now Ana, be sure you're sitting down and have your smelling salts handy. Scroll down very, very s-l-o-w-l-y. I don't want anyone to get hurt.

Not sure I like the hairstyle in this shot, but it has other sterling qualities to recommend it. Careful now, Ana. Take it nice and slow....


 Enjoy your Wednesday!

Friday Fun!

It's time once again to play WRITE YOUR OWN CAPTION!

The one that makes me laugh the hardest wins a copy of STUD!!!!

Thursday Thoughts

Well, Yah Yahs, I got my royalty statement from Sourcebooks. I made a little money, but when the books are sold at a 55% discount and I only get 3 or 6%, well... you do the math. It's no wonder so many authors are leaning toward self-pubbing on Amazon. It's the only way many of us will ever make enough money to give up the day job, or in my case, the night job.

However, that's exactly what I'm about to do. I plan to work only 4 nights a month and see what kind of a splash I can make in the self-pubbing world. I have at least a dozen manuscripts to work with that Sourcebooks has passed on because they didn't show series potential. So, we shall see! In the meantime, I'll still be here on the CBEB every day. Just 'cause I love my Yah Yahs and appreciate your support more than you will ever know.

And for your Thursday enjoyment, a couple of Benji buns!

Tasty Tuesday Pumpkin Ravioli!

Here's another great recipe from our own Diva Donna!









 

Do you like Pumpkins?  For a new way to enjoy pumpkins this season. Try pumpkin ravioli with a rich gorgonzola sauce. This is a favorite recipe of  my daughter's.  My son makes this at the fancy restaurant where he cooks now. You'll have to post some guy with Big Balls the Size of small Pumpkins, Cheryl. If you have them. I couldn't locate them this morning. LOL!

Pumpkin Ravioli with Gorgonzola Sauce
 Serves 6

Ingredients

• 1 1/4 cups canned pumpkin
• 2 tablespoons dry breadcrumbs
• 2 tablespoons fresh grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon minced fresh sage
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 30 round wonton wrappers
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• Cooking spray
• 1 cup fat-free milk
• 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 tablespoons butter
• 1/2 cup (2 ounces) crumbled Gorgonzola cheese
• 3 tablespoons chopped hazelnuts, toasted

Preparation

• Spoon pumpkin onto several layers of heavy-duty paper towels, and spread to 1/2-inch thickness. Cover with additional paper towels; let stand 5 minutes. Scrape into a medium bowl using a rubber spatula. Stir in breadcrumbs, Parmesan, salt, minced sage, pepper, and nutmeg.
• Working with 1 wonton wrapper at a time (cover remaining wrappers with a damp towel to keep from drying), spoon 2 teaspoons pumpkin mixture into the center of wrapper. Brush edges of wrapper with water and fold in half, pressing edges firmly with fingers to form a half-moon. Place on a large baking sheet sprinkled with cornstarch. Repeat procedure with remaining wonton wrappers and pumpkin mixture.
• Fill a large Dutch oven with water; bring to a simmer. Add half of ravioli to pan (cover remaining ravioli with a damp towel to keep from drying). Cook 4 minutes or until done (do not boil), stirring gently. Remove ravioli with a slotted spoon; lightly coat with cooking spray, and keep warm. Repeat procedure with remaining ravioli.
• Combine milk and flour in a saucepan, stirring with a whisk. Bring to a boil; cook for 1 minute or until thick, stirring constantly. Remove from heat. Add butter, stirring until butter melts. Gently stir in Gorgonzola.
• Place 5 ravioli in each of 6 shallow bowls, and drizzle each serving with 3 tablespoons Gorgonzola mixture. Sprinkle each serving with 1 1/2 teaspoons hazelnuts. Serve immediately.

 
Okay, Donna. This is what I came up with. They aren't quite the size of pumpkins, but I think they'll do!

Sunday's Hunk of the Day!

Wow. The last day of July. Gotta find a really awesome hunk to mark the occasion.
How about this one?



























Nah. I can do better than that. I'll keep looking. . . .
Here's one!



























The winner in yesterday's ARC giveaway is..... NANCY BRISTOW!!! Congrats, Nancy!

I'm blogging on Casablanca Authors today. Something about getting the call, I think. Maybe I'll just post a picture of the guys I wish had called me instead of that editor. . . . It's a thought!

Monday Moons!

Yeah, I know it's not Tuesday, and you can't really see his buns all that well, but I think we can forgive Ben in light of the next picture Donna sent me.

Sort of a belated birthday present for Ana.



























Funny... I wouldn't have thought he could get it all in one hand. ;)

Saturday's Hunk of the Day!

Too bad this picture is so small. This is Benji before he lost his undies on that nude beach a while back.


Anyone want to volunteer to be the fluffer for the photo shoot we're all dying for him to do?

Thursday Thoughts on Veteran's Day

It's difficult to imagine how a Benji pic and Veteran's Day could possibly go together, but the point I'd like to make is that all young men and women, everywhere around the world, should be able to lounge naked on a tropical island without fear that the island will be invaded or that he or she will be called upon to lay down their life for their country. I greatly appreciate all that our veterans have done for us, but wish even more that their sacrifice hadn't been necessary.

If we are ever to grow--or even survive--as a species, a spirit of cooperation is essential. Think of all the money and energy spent on war and all the lives that have been lost over the centuries. That spirit of cooperation must begin on a personal level, or our governments have no hope of keeping the peace.

Sure, everyone gets angry from time to time, but while retaliation for personal animosity is something I may occasionally consider, it only causes more pain. And pain is something I don't care to inflict upon anyone. Unfortunately there are people in this world who find joy in causing as much pain as they possibly can, which is why we have so many veterans. Until those people can find a way to rise above their hatred, there will probably be quite a few more. Sad, but true...

Okay, now that I've climbed down from my pacifist soapbox, I'd just like to say that Benji is still the hottest little critter most of us will ever see.

Who wants to volunteer to dust off his backside???

Ana! Stop fainting and get your buns inspecting gloves on! We're counting on you, girl!!!!

Happy Hunk Week Begins!

With Benjamin Godfre!






















I'm very glad Donna sent me this one because there aren't many pics of the Monday Moons variety where the hunk in question is smiling, let alone laughing. The funny thing is, if she hadn't told me who this was, I might not have recognized him since he usually looks pretty serious in the frontal shots, too.

Don't you just love a guy with a great smile? Those smoldering glances may be the stuff of fantasy, but I'm a sucker for a sweet man with a good sense of humor and a big, wide grin. Guess that's why I've been married to Budley for 31 years. . . and counting! ;-)

I spent all day yesterday at my computer, only taking time out to post this blog at 11:30 PM. I've been polishing my short story and critiquing some of the others in the group (they're all very good and very hot!), plus I've been looking over the first few chapters of a new book written by Sandy James, our RWA chapter prez. So far, it's a keeper!

Also, I had the privilege of contacting the three Romantic Suspense finalists in the Indiana Golden Opportunity contest put on by our chapter. It was pretty cool to be the one making "the call" for once, and was definitely a perk! Betcha they were all doing a little happy dance after they hung up the phone. I know I would have!

Saturday's Hunk of the Day!

What would Pretty Eyes Week be without a visit from Benjamin Godfre?

Sadly incomplete!

RWA Update

I began the day meeting Sharon Lathan for the continental breakfast, then had a meeting with our publicist, Danielle. She loves the blog and the way you ladies interact with each other, so, as far as promotions go, she said I'm doing everything I'm supposed to be doing, so she really had no other suggestions.

Then I went to the Sourcebooks spotlight. When my editor had all of the SB authors stand up, we were fully a third of the audience. In the beginning, I tried to read every SB romance as they came out, but with so many of us now, it's no wonder I can't keep up!

I went to another workshop on career building, and, as I've always suspected, I've done everything backwards.

I had lunch with the INRWA gang, and we had the SAME waiter as yesterday, but we didn't take any pictures. After lunch, all of us Hoosiers got together to chat, and then several of us went to Linda Howard's speech about the 12 stages of intimacy. It was very informative, but Linda is such a hoot, she had us in stitches the whole time.

After that a friend of my son's who is working at Disney came over and we talked until it was time to get ready for the Sourcebooks dinner. We rode in limos to a tapas restaurant called Ceviche, had a great dinner. It was kinda loud, but a really cool place. Right now, I'm beat and I've got to post this before it's too late!

Happy Birthday, Ana!

Light the candles on the Birthday Buns and break out the bubbly! It's Ana's Birthday! To help her celebrate, we've got cake, wet buns, and, of course, Ana's favorite hunk, Benji!

Have a great day, Ana!

Saturday's Hunk of the Day!

Okay, NOW he's WET!!!!

I'm blogging on Casablanca Authors today.

Dry off and come on over!

Friday's Wet Hunks!

Okay, ladies! Since I'd already pre-posted the earlier part of the week, the wet hunks will begin today with our own Benjamin Godfre!



























Unfortunately, Benji isn't really very wet in this shot, so I added another pic of someone who is!



























So sit back, relax, and enjoy the water!

Saturday's Hunk of the Day!

Here's a little something to get you in the mood for Independence Day!

Ode to Benji

Benji week is over, now.

It's sad but oh so true,

Though he's gone, he's not forgotten,

In his faded jeans of blue.

All hunks should go commando,

It's the style we ladies crave

Here in the good ol' USA,

Home of the free and brave.


In other news, Ms Moonlight is giving away an ARC of Hero to book bloggers for review on her Moonlight to Twilight blog. Contest ends July 9th!

Another milestone. . . .

We've got lots of July birthdays here on the CBEB, what with Donna's yesterday and Ana's coming up later this month, but today is my son Mike's 24th birthday, which makes me feel REALLY old! He's going to graduate school in the fall, so he's not leaving home just yet, but it won't be long before he's off doing his computer graphics thing somewhere that is probably a very long way from the farm in Indiana.

At 24, I believe he's actually older than Benji. However, while I can't say that I'd have any erotic interests in Benji myself, when it comes to eye candy, well, let's just say that Ben is right up there with the big boys.

Or will be when he grows up.

At which point, he'll probably give up modeling and we'll never know how well he ages.

Sad, isn't it? But we'll always have the pics of him when he was young and handsome, as opposed to old and gray, and if he's like most folks, he'd just as soon keep the younger body while his mind gains worldly experience.

Too bad it doesn't work out like that.

Happy Birthday, Donna!

Not sure what you'd like for your birthday this year, Donna, but since it's Benji week here at the CBEB, I think a little Ben Godfre is in order!
















This has always been one of my favorite pics of the boy. If there was ever a predatory look in any man's eyes, this is it, and it's the one that made me think he might make a good Zetithian someday. LOL! He's even wearing tiger-striped undies!



























Not all guys have what it takes. For example, our dear Mr. Romance, Charles Paz is a great guy with a great bod, but he just doesn't fit the cat-man profile. When I think sleek and muscular with fluid movements, I don't think of Arnold Schwarzenegger, either. The body-builder type is not in any way like a cat.






















This guy isn't bad, and while I do like the tattoo on his left arm, (which is the type I envision for the Dax character in Virgin), the one on his right arm is just a little too busy. Nor does he have Zetithian-sized equipment. This is where the imagination comes in. In creating fictional characters, you have to combine physical characteristics from several different men and the personality of yet another. When I say a character is based on a certain person, there may only be one or two aspects of that individual that I actually use. The fact that he likes to sit naked on bar stools may not be one of them!



























In any case, Enjoy the day!

Tasty Tuesday Pasta & Benji!

Today we have yet another tasty recipe courtesy of our own Diva Donna!

PASTA Primavera with Italian Turkey Sausage(serves 8 women) or (3 men)

Ingredients

• 1 (16 ounce) package uncooked farfalle pasta
• 1 pound hot Italian turkey sausage, cut into 1/2 inch slices or (Kielbasa)
• 1/2 cup olive oil, divided
• 4 cloves garlic, diced
• 1/2 onion, diced
• 2 small zucchini, chopped
• 2 small yellow squash, chopped
• 6 roma (plum) tomatoes, chopped
• 1 green bell pepper, chopped
• 20 leaves fresh basil
• 2 teaspoons chicken bouillon granules
• 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Directions

1. Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Place farfalle pasta in pot and cook 8 to 10 minutes, until al dente; drain.
2. Place sausage in a large skillet over medium heat and cook until evenly brown; set aside. Heat 1/4 cup oil in skillet. Stir in garlic and onion, and cook until tender. Mix in zucchini, squash, tomatoes, bell pepper and basil. Dissolve bouillon in mixture. Season with red pepper. Stir in remaining oil. Continue cooking 10 minutes.
3. Mix pasta, sausage and cheese into skillet. Continue cooking 5 minutes, or until heated through. YOU WILL WANT EXTRA HELPINGS OF THIS!! ENJOY it with your favorite hunk!!!
   

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