Today we have a guest post from talent, Cara Michaels.  She knows how to spin a tale, as I can attest from her writings at the Daily Picspirations blog, and now she’s releasing her first title from Evernight Publishing!  Enjoy the guest post and an intriguing excerpt from her story Their First Noelle.

Sex, Love, and Coffee: The Perfect Blend in ‘Their First Noelle’ by Cara Michaels

This Thursday (the 13^th) sees the release of my new short story, Their First Noelle. A largely lighthearted sex romp (call a spade a spade), part of the story takes place in my lady MC’s favorite coffee shop, Heavenly Brew. Noelle Duncan, a retired North Pole elf, loves coffee (write what you know, they say). Her tale of lust, romance, and happily ever after even starts said coffee shop.

Coffee is a staple in many a writer’s diet. I barely know my name most mornings without it.

#6, baby. That’s my favorite number, too. Coincidence? Well… yeah. But, I’ll take it.

Fall and winter have to be the best times of the year for coffee fanatics. Pumpkin, gingerbread, cinnamon, peppermint, apple (True story… had a caramel apple coffee thing from Dunkin Donuts a couple years back. It was shockingly yummy and just the thing for a walk in wintery weather)… and that’s not even touching the creamers for home brews. This is the time of year when every coffee purveyor rolls out flavors to delight and perplex (Eggnog? You stay away from my coffee, mister.).

As a working writer (read: desperately underpaid), I don’t get to indulge often in the brewed delights available at any of the dozen Starbucks within 10 miles of my home (Seriously, people… The first step to recovery is admitting we have a problem.).

My solution to this is experimenting with my homebrews. If you’re like me and lurve the seasonal coffee fetish but lack the gold plated bills required to purchase one from your local coffee shop of choice, there are some things you can do at home to zest up your java fix.

There’s booze in this, right?

When you’re spooning the grounds of the gods into the filter, try adding some extras. 1 tsp of cinnamon for every ‘6’ cups on my coffee maker unleashes a cinnamon-flavored java bonanza. Powdered cocoa yields a homemade mocha. For your inner Peppermint Patty obsession, try some peppermint extract and cocoa.

Now. If your brain is ready to rock and roll, here’s an excerpt from Their First Noelle. Meet the proprietors of Heavenly Brew, Nick and Kris. Nick might have a teeny tiny caffeine buzz…

 

“Damn, it’s busy today. Didn’t think I’d ever get away from the counter. We ran through the Christmas Blend an hour ago. Customers are fiends for the stuff. Mrs. Forrest promised to rename her kids after us if we stock more next year.”

 

Nick rapped his knuckles against Kris’ computer.

 

“Noelle dyed her hair again, did you see it?”

 

“She changed it last week,” Kris said. “Winter solstice.”

 

“Okay, Mr. Stoic. Just pretend she and her seasonal fetish are not the hottest act in town. I wonder how she got it so white. It’s fucking gorgeous.”

 

“How much coffee have you had?”

 

“Enough to keep up with the ravenous hordes while you bury your nose in spreadsheets.”

 

“Might have to tie you up and leave you in the back room until you calm down.”

 

“I like the part where you tie me up.” Nick laughed. He propped his chin on his hand and watched Noelle. “Damn, she’s so pretty.”

 

“I’m not looking,” Kris said. “I’m working. You have a one track mind, I swear.”

 

“Not that you blame me.”

About Cara: Cara Michaels is a dreamer of legendary proportions (just ask her about the alien pirate spaceship invasion). Her imagination is her playground and nothing is quite so much fun for her as building new characters and new worlds with at least an edge of the fantastic. She’s writing whenever the opportunity presents itself and can typically be found tinkering with half a dozen projects. Occasionally all at once.

Connect with Cara: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Tumblr | G+

Their First Noelle – Available 12/13/12 from Evernight Publishing, Amazon, and Barnes & Noble.