Christmas Spirit Blog Post 3: Yule Erotic Reading

Book Review: A Gift of Gold
Author: Ann Jacobs
Publisher: Ellorascave
Cost: 0.99 ($1.49)
Pages: 69 

My Rating:★★★1/2
Erotica Rating: :★★★1/2 

How I got it: Purchased

Synopsis: 

It's Christmas at Summerfield Castle and the deVere twins, Gavin and William, have always shared everything. Their women are no exception.
Now the younger twin, Gavin, is pledged to marry Lady Evelyn fitzSimmons to provide him with estates. He fears the wealthy widow may dampen his lusty pleasures…but she has other plans.

My Review:
I’m a big fan of historical novels, I’m also a big fan of history and Christmas lore, so I was super excited to find a book that combined all of the above.  As a novel the story needed to be fleshed out more, which granted can't be done in a novella which this book is, I certainly wanted to know more about the family history, the parent's story sounded like it could have been an amazing story.

As an erotica, the sex scenes were pretty erotic & steamy.  I loved that she threw in some historical accuracies including the old rituals pertaining to marriage, I enjoyed the by play between the couples, & was slightly creeped out my Meggie's sire's actions.  I loved that Meggie was all for finding out if it was her money that Gavin wanted or if it was her.  They never knew what hit them & I loved it!!

I however couldn't really stand the "Old English" that truly wasn't real Old English but I can't argue with that in a romance novel, other than that the book was actually pretty good. I wish to read more about the other family members.

It's a good quick read. 
Enjoy the Yule bedfurs!!

Buy on Amazon                            Add to Goodreads

Wandering About the Shops....

It's all about Handmade Yule
Last Year there was a Homemade Yule Challenge, where everyone pledged to make as many of their gifts as possible. This year it seems everyone wishes to support small businesses. I myself  love doing so.  I thought I would share with you a few friends who have great businesses for those on your list, in your covens, or even your own needs.
Some of these are pagan, some are not, but they are all small business owners and we should support them as much as we can:

The first one up is Kristeen, my close friend who makes amazing body products, she recently branched out and made some awesome decorations that are pagan themed. I thought those should be on someones tree  I'm buying some as well. She has several different themed ones, but I love the purple ones the most.

I'm a jewelry fanatic, and the ones from this company, owned and created by Nubia  are amazing. I love them and love knowing I'm supporting a small business as well, she too recently branched out and started adding  vintage and  interesting items.  Like the 'genie' lamp from India. 

My other fave friend is Candace, who i follow on blogger as well, she makes the most amazing smelling body butters, and shares so much of herself in her products you just know they are made with your best interest in mind. Check her out here at RedSunFlower Designs

Need Crystals or gems?? You must check out Hibiscus Moon's shop on etsy, she does an amazing job and willingly shares her knowledge as well. She has crystal grids, classes, and some free youtube videos as well. Check her out!!

How about a reading? Perhaps some Hoodoo Oils? Why not check out Den? at her etsy shop. 

this is from her Spirit Guide reading, she is amazing!!
So those are my recommendations for this Season if I find more I will share. Thanks and Be Blessed
Happy Solstice

Happy Founder's Day to the ......

Ice Cold Brothers of the Alpha Phi Alpha Incorporated!!!! 105 Years ago 7 Jewels came together and created the FIRST, BEST, Fraterity of the Black & Old Gold.

"First of All, Servants of All, We Shall Transcend All, " Motto

In December 4,1906 at Cornell University, a hand full of students formed a way for the only Black students in Cornell to remain against the racism facing them.

Alpha Phi Alpha evolved into a primarily service organisation and provided leadership and service during the Great Depression,World Wars, and Civil Rights Movements. It addresses social issues such as apartheid, AIDS, urban housing, and other economic, cultural, and political issues of interest to people of color.

This group was a brotherhood of support, these men became Great and inspired the formation of the Sisterhood of 20 pearls Alpha Kappa Alpha, as well all the other Fraternities that came after.

Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. has continued to supply voice and vision to the struggle of African Americans and people of color around the world. The Fraternity has long stood at the forefront of the African-American community's fight for civil rights.


Members of Alpha Phi Alpha include Jamaican Prime Minister Norman Manley, Nobel Prize winner Martin Luther King, Jr., Olympian Jesse Owens, Justice Thurgood Marshall, United Nations Ambassador Andrew Young, and Atlanta Mayor Maynard Jackson.

You Can Learn More about the Brothers the Black and Old Gold as well as the extremely well written and cited article on Wiki. I LOVE MY A PHI A!!!!

21 Days of Yule Day 2:

The Yule Goat

The term "Yule" comes to us from the Scandinavian tradition, and many of what we consider as "Christmas" also comes from them.  before there were Reindeer there were Goats.  The Yule Goat is one of the oldest traditions from the Northern Europe Christmas Traditions.  Each year the Goat was slaughtered during the Yule festival.

Within the Scandinavian, myths the God Thor had two  Tanngrisnir meaning gap-tooth and Tanngnjostr meaning tooth grinder, these goats pulled his chariot through the sky.  According to legend each evening Thor would butcher the goats and each morning they would rise whole from the bundled bones.  

The goat is also associated with Joulupukki who is perhaps where the concept of Santa's outfit and his sleigh comes from.  He flew in a sleigh drawn by a goat, his name actually means "Yule Buck", he wore a red suit. He is derived from stories of spirits that would dress themselves up in goatskin suits and demand presents , but his modern version called the Yule Elf who delivers presents on a sleigh pulled by a goat.  

To Bring the Spirit of the Yule Goat into your life, why not try some of the following:

• Create a straw Yule goat it doesn't have to be as big, but a small one will do just fine.  This can be used later as a sacrificial goat just place it in the Yule fire along with the log. Then wrap it in red ribbon all around the goat

• You can get dressed up and follow the older tradition of carolling or Julebukking "going Yule Goat", dress yourselves or the kiddies as a Gnome, Yule Elf, or in goat costumes and go to homes and request a treat for a song.

• You can be like a Jamaican and make a traditional Curry  Goat meal Ill share our recipes next week Wed on KWW for the Holidays.
• You can also make masks and decorate in Honor of the Yule Goats

Fun Fact, the most famous of all the Yule Goats is the Gavle Goat, which is a huge straw effigy built over two days, many towns people make it a game of setting the Goat on fire during the Solstice without getting caught because it's not exactly legal but this tradition also dates back to when effigies were burned as a way to encourage the return of the sun.  

Resources:

Sabbats Almanac Samhain twenty ten to Mabon twenty eleven

HobbyFarms 

Yule Goat article on wikipedia

21 Days of Yule: Day 1

With the Holidays fast approaching many of us will be cooking up a storm. I know I will be doing some serious baking. If you haven't checked out the Recipes tabs at the top there are many different recipes from main courses to desserts especially for the Holiday season. 
Here is a quick look at the list of things you can find:
Mulled Wine
Twelfth Night Cake
Magi Cake
Syllabub
Eggnog
Wassail
How to make A Boar dessert

Those are just some of the ideas for your Yule Feasts and party plans, Any great recipes to share?? Let me know in the comment box and I will swing by and check them out!!
Happy Yule