Congratulations to:

Mary Marvella -- t-shirt

Barbara Monajem -- coffee mug

Joanne -- download

Mona Risk -- coffee mug

Please contact me at BiancaSwan20@yahoo.com with your contact information for delivering your prize.

Thanks everyone for stopping by with all the encouragement.

A wall painting unearthed at Knossos in Crete, dating from about 2000 BC, shows male and female acrobats confronting a bull, grabbing its horns as it charges, and vaulting over its back.

The art of bullfighting on horseback, as currently practiced in Portugal, where it is called toureio equestre and in Spain and Mexico, where it is called rejoneo, claims a direct origin to the Iberian Peninsula, having developed from Middle Ages war exercises, particularly the cavalry.

Coridas mixtas are also popular, where a rejoneador and two matadores (or a rejoneador, matador and novillero - the last of which is an apprentice matador) perform.

Bullfighting in Spain traces its origins to 711 A.D. The first bullfight took place in celebration for the crowning of King Alfonso VIII. In Spain, an estimated one million people each year watch bullfights.

Until King Felipe V, who took exception to the sport) banned the aristocracy from participating, the sport belonged to the nobility. The King believed that aristocrats in bullfights set a bad example to the public. Commoners enthusiasticlly adopted the sport, but since few could afford horses, took the fight to the ground, confronting the bull on foot, and modern corrida began to take form.

Today’s bullfight is much the same as it has been since about 1726, when Francisco Romero of Ronda, Spain, introduced the estoque (the sword) and the muleta (the small, more easily wielded worsted cape used in the last part of the fight).

During a performance, rejoneadores often ride several horses:

• A parade horse - physically attractive and disciplined
• A horse for the first tercio (entrance of bull) - very fast and brave.
• A horse for the second tercio (banderillas) - fast, agile, and a natural instinct for fooling the bull
• A horse for the third tercio (death of bull) - very steady
Bullfighting horses are highly trained to swerve instantly, yet remain calm when charged by a fierce, angry bull. The must possess an extreme dose of bravura, agility, and obedience.

A rejoneador's usual costume consists of a dark waistcoat (usually brown or grey), brown leather chaps and a broad, straight-brimmed hat.

http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&VideoID=8251327
Rejoneador and Palomino stallion (most likely Lusitano).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tTYWw3f7kx8
Pablo Hermoso

Now we’ll pass the champagne, chocolate and baked brie! Join me in celebrating the release of my erotic novella, Hot Spanish Nights, from The Wild Rose Press, The Wilder Roses.

There will be random drawings. Among the prizes are t-shirts, coffee mugs, pens and refrigerator magnets.

Let the party begin!

Cheers! Bianca

Since my love scenes are caliente, I decided to dabble in erotica and wrote Hot Spanish Nights targeting the Destination Pleasure line of The Wilder Roses at The Wild Rose Press. I was very pleased that the editor liked the story (and fortunate since she is also a devotee of horses). She asked for rewrites, using the buzz words. At first, I found using the buzz words difficult, but then I got into it and now, when editing one of my fallen angel manuscripts yesterday, I struggled for a word that a buzz word would have fit perfectly! The story grew beyond the word length for Destination Pleasure and will be released as a miniature (novella).

For many happy years, I bred, trained and showed Andalusian horses. They are the most intelligent, beautiful and loving creatures in the world. My stallion was twice National Champion at Halter and many times champion under saddle. I could sing the praises of the Iberian horse for pages, and this story gave me an outlet to present them to a new audience. In Black Swan, my vampire story from The Wild Rose press, I used my car in a love scene. In Hot Spanish Nights, I used my own stallion Bonito as one of the heroes (the four-legged one). The socialite and the bullfighter--when a competitive man and a competitive woman meet, sparks fly.

To view the trailer and read an excerpt, please visit my blog at: http://biancaswanblog.wordpress.com/

Blurb:
Southern vixen Erica DeLongpre journeys to Spain to find the horse of her dreams, never expecting to find a man capable of stirring her sexual awareness. Damián Xeres, a renowned bullfighter is deliciously skilled on a horse--and in bed. But a woman from Damian's past rattles Erica's confidence and threatens the very essence of her trip. With Lucia waiting for the slightest chink in her armor, Erica can't help wonder what lies ahead in those Hot Spanish Nights.

Please return to The Pink Fuzzy Slippers on October 29 for my Release Day Party. There’ll be fun, virtual chocolate strawberries, baked brie, champagne and lots of prizes—all served with a little eye candy!!

PS. I have the talented Angela Anderson to thank for my stunning cover. Let’s hear it for Angela.

Halloween weekend: http:www.thewildrosepress.com