on Nov 21st, 2011 
I am so excited to be blogging here today and tomorrow, y’all! I have to thank Eden, again, for inviting me. I’ve wanted to guest here for a long time and I’ve been wracking my brain for days on what to blog about because I want to make a good impression. I’d like to be invited back, ya know?
For those who do not know me, my name is Lissa Matthews. I write contemporary erotic romance, contemporary erotica, and a little contemporary male/male…all with an edge of kink play and sometimes with a little Dominance/submission. I write for several epubs including Samhain Publishing, Ellora’s Cave and Loose Id. Most recently I’ve waded into the self publishing pool.
For my posts, I decided that in the spirit of the season and since this is the week of Thanksgiving here in the US, that I would blog about things I am thankful for. Because I will be here for two days, I have two lists, each with eleven things.
Today will be the Nice and Thankful list…
1. Family, most specifically, my half-brother Troy for coming into my life after 32 years apart. We coudn’t be more alike and connected than had we been born twins. We will be spending Thanksgiving together later this week, the first for him with a sibling. I am beside myself with nervous excitement.
2. Friends, I have made some awesome ones this year. I have lost a few this year as well. Friends are special and precious and I hope that my friends know how much I love and appreciate them.
3. Health, mine is relatively good and I’ve lost too many people in the last years to cancers and other illnesses, to not be thankful that I and my immediate family are in good health.
4. Writing, I don’t know what I’d do without my career as an author. I am thankful for it every day, thankful for the things it has taught me, thankful for the people I’ve met, thankful that it has allowed me to provide and experience some wonderful things over the last several years.
5. Coffee. I don’t need to embellish on this one, do I?
6. Readers. I have so many loyal and wonderful readers. I don’t know all their names, but if I did, I would thank each and every one of them personally. They have been supportive and with me every step of the way, even when I’ve hit low points. They are amazing to me.
7. Home, because I’m a homebody. I love my own space. It’s not the ideal city or house, but for now, it’s home.
8. Trader Joe’s, Earth Fare, local farmers, because as a family we’re healthier and eating better with minimally processed, no artificial ingredients, no scientific altering of foods…
9. NASCAR and Football, what can I say? I’m a Southerner. These two things are what my son and I share love and passion for and we have some very awesome conversations. It keeps us close, keeps us talking.
10. Homeschooling, given the state of the public education system, the freedom to do this is one I can’t be thankful enough for!
11. Harry Potter, this one ties into my relationship with my daughter and her childhood memories.
What are you thankful for this year?
~
Tomorrow I’ll have a Naughty and Thankful list for you along with an excerpt of my upcoming Samhain release, TWISTED UP. And yes, there’s also a giveaway involved in all this. I will be giving a $25 gift card to Amazon.com and a $25 gift card to Barnes and Noble! I’ll also be giving away two ARCs to readers for TWISTED UP!
For now, here’s the blurb to get you curious:
One rope. Three days. And two hearts on the line.
Justin has had enough. Ella, the woman who healed his broken heart, has been cancelling on him for two months straight. Sure, she’s busy with her job, which has her traveling far and wide. But that never stopped her from sharing nights of trivia, long conversations and blazing hot sex—until now. Truth to tell, he misses their easy friendship, the way her sighs fill his ear as he fills her body.
What he can’t figure out is, what’s changed?
At work, Ella finds it easy to talk to rooms full of strangers. Once back at her lonely apartment, though, she’s back to her painfully shy self—until Justin. Their chance meeting grew over the months into a year-long affair, but she can’t shake the feeling that rejection and pain are just around the corner. Best thing to do? End it now, before their intimacy digs too deep.
Suddenly he’s at her door with a length of neon-green rope and a naughty proposition, daring her to say no. Just how good could it be? There’s only one way to find out…
Warning: The sheets are tangled, the hat is crumpled, and the jeans are worn low on the hips. The cowboy is hot, determined, and helpless in the face of bunny slippers. Readers may need extra batteries to get this one out of their system.
To learn more about Lissa, visit her website: lissamatthews.com
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I am thankful for my family, in particular my Texas family that I’m getting to know better. I am thankful for my Kindle, for so many reasons! I have found many wonderful authors, including you, Lissa!
by Angie M November 21st, 2011 at 9:03 amI’m thankful to be healthy in mind and body. It’s been a rough couple of years, and I feel like I am finally getting back to myself.
Lissa – I really enjoyed Pink Buttercream Frosting – it was a sexy and sweet story.
by Katherine November 21st, 2011 at 9:07 amHey Lissa! So you’re the author of the Simple Need books my friends have been raving about. All I hear is how hot Vinter is (in Simple Need)! I like the warning on your Twisted Up book. :) Also, I hope you have a fabulous Thanksgiving with your half-brother.
Let’s see, what am I thankful for….
My hubby first and foremost. Without him I don’t know what I would do. He was in a car accident about 10 years ago and they declared him dead on the spot. But by some miracle, he came back to life and survived. He tore his aorta and had to have many surgeries and learn to walk again. So without him my life would be incomplete. I joked once to him that he was meant to come back and marry me. He said yeah, God is punishing him for hitting that cement poll. It’s funnier when he says it.
I am also thankful for my little nuggets who are 8 and 5. They are the light of my life and make me smile everyday.
My mother and my grandmother who are my best friends and always there for me when life gets tough.
Coffee. Without it, I don’t know how I could keep up with my kids. Even though I am a young mother, they wear me out!
My kindle that can hide all my smutty reads now that my nuggets can read.
And last but certainly not least, AUTHORS! The last three years have been incredibly rough. You all are what keep me sane. It’s funny because my friends who’ve known me since I was a kid can’t believe how much I read….or that I even know what a book is. LOL I love it so much and I don’t know what I would do without all you wonderful authors and the hours and hours of pleasure you bring me. Thank YOU!
I hope everyone has a great Thanksgiving!
by Taryn Lisa November 21st, 2011 at 9:34 amI am thankful for my family and thankful that I still have my husband in my life. Over the weekend he was in a roll over motor vehicle accident. He has 5 fractures in his right eye area and according to the driver was unresponsive for a few minutes immediately after the accident. There is no brain injury and no spine/neck injury so that I am also thankful for. It really made me realize that you need to cherish each and every day that you have with the people you love cause you never know when it could be your/their last.
leaghlovesromance@yahoo.com
by Leagh November 21st, 2011 at 10:00 amHoly smokes, Lissa that is one hot cover!
*fans self*
by Karen Erickson November 21st, 2011 at 10:09 amHi, Lissa! *waves madly*
This year, I’m thankful for the usual: my health, my job (for the area I live in, it’s a good one WITH health insurance), my family (almost lost my grandma twice @ the beginning of the year), & my friends. I’m also thankful for good books & the authors that write them (when does Stick Shift come out again?? LOL).
by Courtney S November 21st, 2011 at 10:47 amMany things to be thankful for….family, health, employment especially in these times. Thanks for sharing your list :)
by Eva P. November 21st, 2011 at 11:05 amIm thankful for my wonderful family. Without them, i dont know what id do. There always there. Im also thankful for all of you authors. Your books take me away from reality and take me away to another world. I love the escape and adventures i get through your stories. Thank you!
by Shadow November 21st, 2011 at 11:14 amim thankful that hubbys job is working out , Im thankful for all my friends that get me through the craziness . Im thankful for my mom and dad who help out however they can and im thankful for all the delishes books that help take me away
by jennifer mathis November 21st, 2011 at 11:30 amTaryn, Yes I would be the Simple Need author. Vinter does get his fair share of delicious praise and I am thankful for every morsel of it!
Courtney, it’s titled Drive Shaft and I’m working on it!!!! ;)
Katherine, I am so glad you liked Pink Buttercream Frosting! I am glad that I have been able to bring back, if only in name, a little of Aidn and Bailey through my M/M Masked series.
Karen, YES! It IS a hot cover! Kendra Egert did a fabulous job.
Thanks to all of you have commented! I am so thrilled to be here because I have so much respect and awe for these ladies…
I’ll check back in a bit!
Lissa
by Lissa November 21st, 2011 at 12:03 pmI am thankful that my 5 month old daughter is very healthy and growing so big after being 6 weeks premature, and I am thankful for the doctors and nurses who took such great care of me, my husband and my daughter while me and her were in the hospital after her birth for 2 weeks.
by Janna November 21st, 2011 at 12:39 pmI am thankful for my wonderful husband. Thankful that we have our health. I am thankful that I am able to read and enjoy all the wonderful books that I am being introduced to!
by JeanP November 21st, 2011 at 12:43 pmNot entering, of course, but I’m thankful for my amazing boyfriend, my devoted friends and my wonderful family-I really hit the jackpot with the people in my life, including my darling Smutketeers, our awesome Smutkedettes, and our wonderful guest, Lissa.
by edenbradley November 21st, 2011 at 12:46 pmAnd yes, I’m getting schmaltzy…:)
Hi Lissa,
by elaing8 November 21st, 2011 at 12:51 pmYou know I love your books :) I can’t wait to read Twisted Up.Love the cover ;)
Great list…I’m thankful that my family is healthy and happy.
Elaine
I am very thankful for my family. No matter what, we are always there for each other and they are what is most important in the world to me.
by June M. November 21st, 2011 at 1:06 pmThe book looks great and that cover is very sexy! Love it!
Hi Lissa,
It’s great to have you here, and I can’t wait to read Twisted Up.
I am most grateful for the health and happiness of my family. My Pop just turned 80, and acts like he is 60, lol, and my boy’s live locally now and are even in charge of the Thanksgiving dinner for the first time! Love passing on our family traditions.
by Cathy M November 21st, 2011 at 1:15 pmLissa,
I have so much to be thankful for this year! Both daughters are home with us, my husband is working for home, I am working part-time with enough time to read GREAT books by fabulous authors and everyone is healthy! Beth
by Beth November 21st, 2011 at 1:58 pmps- I think I like Dallon the best!
Lissa, what did you think of last night’s race? Wow! What a way for NASCAR to end. My guy (Edwards) didn’t win but who cares, right? It came down to the final race and it rocked.
I’m thankful that hubby and have jobs to go to every day. Some dont…I’m thankful for my son and my family. I thank God every day that I get up in the morning and to get kiss my hubby and son. I’m thankful for authors that write the books I like to read.
I’m so looking forward to Twisted Up. Can I lick the cover? Too late….
maw1725@gmail.com
by Marika Weber November 21st, 2011 at 2:02 pmLISSA!! Good to see you here! Have a wonderful thanksgiving with your brother.
I am thanksful for my family and friends. For all the wonderful books you all write so I can escape when I need to. For a much better boss/job than last year. For my beautiful, snarky, challenging daughter who keeps me young and sane!
I am also thankful for my new Physical Therapist who very gently popped my hip back in last week during my eval. She is my new best friend! :)
BTW – love the warning on this book. Can’t wait to read it!
by Susan R November 21st, 2011 at 2:58 pmI’m thankful for (of course) friends, family, hubby. I’m thankful for a job (as a public school teacher- ahem…) that keeps me on my toes with never a dull moment, my animals (because not having a zoo is just not right), and I’m thankful for victorias secret mascara because it makes my eyes look AMAZING!
by Meagan B November 21st, 2011 at 3:03 pmHey Lissa, thanks for visiting with us here! Your latest book sounds awesome! I am thankful for my family, the fact that none of us have any surgeries or anything coming up, (We have a congenital heart defect that runs in our family, so for us, having no surgeries planned means we are in relatively good health!) books, awesome authors and of course chocolate!! lol
by Ashley Applebee November 21st, 2011 at 5:25 pm
by julie Comins November 21st, 2011 at 7:51 pmI am thankful that I found the wonderful Smutketeers this year, and I was able to spend my birthday at the RT2011.
I am also thankful that I met my Cougar-cub/Hockey-boy, who hates doing Thanksgiving as much as I do.
Most of all i’m thankful for my young neice and nephew who never fail to make me laugh!
Julie iread2xs at yahoo dot com
Hi Lissa,
I’m thankful for my family and friends and all the love and support and they provide me.
Congrats on your new releases!!!
by Crystal H November 21st, 2011 at 8:23 pmI am thankful for my family! Is that too trite?
by Jen B. November 21st, 2011 at 8:37 pmI’m thankful for all the new friends I have made this year, my family- even the ones that drive me bonkers, and health. Oh and all the awesome reads and authors I have found. ;)
by Dawn November 21st, 2011 at 10:23 pmI’m thankful for my family and friends and for all the great books out there! And of course, for the authors who write them. ;)
by ClaudiaGC November 22nd, 2011 at 7:26 amIt’s nice to see everyone being thankful. It’s easy for all of us, any of us to think about what we don’t have, what we didn’t get, what isn’t ours, than it is sometimes to think of what we do have and how much we do have to be thankful for. This blog post was as much for me as anyone, to make me think and help to remind me of all I have in my life to thankful for. Thank you all for sharing!
by Lissa November 22nd, 2011 at 7:56 amI will post the winners in the comments section of both days one and two tomorrow morning by 9am Eastern.
Lissa
by Lissa November 22nd, 2011 at 7:57 pmGreat blurb, sounds lie a sexy cowboy read! I’m thankful for my family and friends, and all the great authors out there!
by jeanette8042 November 22nd, 2011 at 9:15 pmMorning y’all! I’m a little late. Forgive me. In the kitchen cooking for tomorrow!
Okay! Winners!
Amazon Giftcard – JeanP
Barnes and Noble Giftcard – ClaudiaCG
Twisted Up ARC #1 – Katherine
Twisted Up ARC #2 – julie Comins
If you will email me at lissa AT lissamatthews DOT com (lissa@lissamatthews.com) I’ll get your prize to you ASAP!
by Lissa November 23rd, 2011 at 7:11 am
by Luann McLeod November 23rd, 2011 at 7:00 pmI absolutely Love the excerpt of your new book.