P.G. Forte's Blog, page 32
December 21, 2023
12 Days of Yule: Day Two
Welcome to Day Two of the 12 Days of Yule! Today's book is IRON, the first Celtic Romance I ever wrote.
Here's the download link:
https://dl.bookfunnel.com/p1hvtgkqsg
IRON had it's genesis in a question I was asked during an online chat many years ago. The question was what was the strangest H/H pairing I could imagine. The idea of one of the immortal Fae--someone who can't stand the touch of iron--falling for a human blacksmith sprung immediately to mind. The idea of setting it in Nineteenth Century Ireland came about because my Irish grandfather actually was a blacksmith in Tipperary. I never knew him, but I grew up with my grandmother and her voice was in my head the entire time I wrote this book.
The first editor I showed it to wanted to turn it into a Sword and Sorcery type of tale, but that's not what this story is. It's angsty and quiet. It's really all about Gavin, my wounded hero. And, yes, I suppose it is a cautionary tale--about how one's life can be changed, usually not for the better, when dealing with the Fae. But it's also a story about the transformative power of love.
It's a fairy tale, really. Only sexier, and with a happier ending than most of those have. Which is to say, I think it has a happy ending, but YMMV!
12 Days of Yule: Day One
Welcome to Day One of the 12 Days of Yule! Today's book is OAK, because what else would I choose for the Solstice besides a book about the Solstice Kings?
Here's the download link:
https://dl.bookfunnel.com/kghctyl2oq
OAK is my weird, sexy take on the legend of the Oak King and the Holly King. It's primarily MMF, although there is one MMM scene, as well. It's extremely angsty, as most things Irish tend to be. But it also features some very sexy tree-shifters.
In the world that I’ve created, the Oak King and Holly King share the duties of ruling over the Greenworld—which basically means that while they're "on the throne" they’re in touch with all of the plant life on the entire planet. It’s an all-consuming, overwhelming task, which is why they switch off every six months.
Their jobs are made somewhat easier when the two of them are able to function as a team. They're long-lived (being tree-spirits) but they're not immortal. And they’re individuals, so occasionally they don't get along as well as it might. This story is about one of those times.
Fionn is young and sweet (well, he’s young for a tree shifter, maybe not so much by human standards!). He’s a total Cinnamon Roll, but still somewhat new to his role of Oak King—and the last Oak King was legendary!
Fionn has been feeling somewhat overwhelmed. Especially since his counterpart—Kieran, the Holly King—is the Grump to his Sunshine.
Aine Murphy is the young widow who catches Fionn's eye. Aine has been devoted to the two kings all her life. But she was not allowed to practice her religious beliefs during the course of her marriage. And she certainly never thought she'd meet them!
When Fionn falls for Aine, and threatens to give up his throne for her, Kieran is spurred to take action.
Kieran had been deeply in love with the previous Oak King and his grief has made him cruel. But the Winter Solstice is a time of Magic, and there's no greater magic than love.
December 20, 2023
!2 Days of Yule: Day One
Welcome to Day One of the 12 Days of Yule! Today's book is OAK, because what else would I choose for the Solstice besides a book about the Solstice Kings?
Here's the download link:
https://dl.bookfunnel.com/kghctyl2oq
OAK is my weird, sexy take on the legend of the Oak King and the Holly King. It's primarily MMF, although there is one MMM scene, as well. It's extremely angsty, as most things Irish tend to be. But it also features a trio of very sexy tree-shifters.
In the world that I’ve created, the Oak King and Holly King share the duties of ruling over the Greenworld—which basically means that while they're "on the throne" they’re in touch with all of the plant life on the entire planet. It’s an all-consuming, overwhelming task, which is why they switch off every six months.
Their jobs are made somewhat easier when the two of them are able to function as a team. They're long-lived (being tree-spirits) but they're not immortal. And they’re individuals, so occasionally they don't get along as well as it might. This story is about one of those times.
Fionn is young and sweet (well, he’s young for a tree shifter, maybe not so much by human standards!). He’s a total Cinnamon Roll, but still somewhat new to his role of Oak King—and the last Oak King was legendary!
Fionn has been feeling somewhat overwhelmed. Especially since his counterpart—Kieran, the Holly King—is the Grump to his Sunshine.
Aine Murphy is the young widow who catches Fionn's eye. Aine has been devoted to the two kings all her life. But she was not allowed to practice her religious beliefs during the course of her marriage. And she certainly never thought she'd meet them!
When Fionn falls for Aine, and threatens to give up his throne for her, Kieran is spurred to take action.
Kieran had been deeply in love with the previous Oak King and his grief has made him cruel. But the Winter Solstice is a time of Magic, and there's no greater magic than love.
Starting Tomorrow: The 12 Days of Yule Giveaway
Every day between December 21, 2023 and January 01, 2023 I'll be giving away a different holiday-themed book. Details and links will be posted here each day. I'm including full-length novels, novellas and short stories.
Some of these books are currently on sale. Others are out of print, or are awaiting release.
Stop back here every day to access the links and read more about the book and why I chose to include it!
December 19, 2023
Romance Writers Weekly ~ Holiday Decorations! ~ #LoveChatWrite
This week, on the Romance Writers Weekly blog hop, we're asked "Does your community decorate for the holiday season? What about yourself? Share photos and stories."
I used to love decorating, but losing decorations several times over the course of multiple moves kind of soured me on the whole holiday decorating gig. I'll put up a small tree and break out my holiday dishes--and of course I'll bake lots of holiday treats! But I leave the large-scale decorations to my community and they do not disappoint!
Here are some photos I took last year of my town square all dressed up for the holidays. PLUS an article about a woman in town who turns her house into a giant gingerbread house every Christmas (I might have used that idea in Christmas Angel, btw). FINALLY, I've also embedded a video I put together after a trip to the grocery store last week.
https://www.facebook.com/TheGingerbreadHouseInKyle
Join my newsletter to get this steamy holiday short story for free.
A resolute Afghan veteran deploys on his most desperate mission yet—wooing the hesitant heart of his daughter’s kindergarten teacher.
(Judith late 40's, Hugh early 50's)
https://dl.bookfunnel.com/87mjdcnz83
I'm doing something new this year. I'm hosting an event on my blog called the 12 Days of Yule. I'll be giving away books! So be sure to stop back here tomorrow for details. And, in the meantime...
Christmas AngelAn Angels in the Afterlife Christmas Story
Being fully transparent is good for a relationship, right? Well, maybe not when it’s literal.
Christmas Angel is a second-chance, holiday romance with a celestial twist. Probationary angel Jake Hennessy's been sent back to earth to mend fences with his ex. Or has he? Certainly Tony doesn’t seem to think that's the case.
Tony DiCecco might have ninety-nine problems—and then some—between dealing with his meddlesome family AND running the family business (a Christmas tree farm in rural Texas) but he's pretty sure that playing catch-up with his ex-husband isn’t supposed to be one of them.
And what would even be the point? It’s hard to imagine what kind of future the two of them could have when one of them is alive and the other...isn't.
December 17, 2023
Music Monday: It's Christmas by Pilot
I am not the biggest fan of the movie Love Actually. I like some of the storylines, but not others. And I just wish that EVERYONE could have a happy ending. Also that the American president wasn't such a dick. I mean, it's probably too accurate, more often than not, but still so cringey.
But my favorite part is Bill Nighy's performance. I thought it was brilliant and hysterically funny to re-write a pop song to make it about Christmas. I mean, who would actually do that, right?
WELL...let me tell you, there is apparently a whole world of delightfully zany re-written Christmas anthems. Including this one that I discovered while digging up songs for the Christmas Angel playlist.
I just can't...
And in case you missed it... Here's Bill Nighy deliciously mangling the Troggs' hit, Love is All Around. WHILE also sending up Robert Palmer's classic video for Addicted to Love. I love this all so much!
And in case you're too young to remember it...
December 15, 2023
Flashback Friday: Ashes of the Day
It's the time of year when my thoughts turn to cookies. And the same holds true for a shockingly large number of my characters. For some reason, even my vampires LOVE to bake. Here's a flashback scene from Ashes of the Day in which Damaian tries to introduce the twins (who were about five years old at the time) to cookies.
July, 1975
“There, there, chiquita,” Damian murmured tenderly as he wiped the tears from Julie’s face with a soft cloth. The little girl sat on the counter next to the kitchen sink where Damian had put her while he washed the blood from her scraped knee. “It’s all right, little one. Dry your eyes. Does it still hurt very badly?”
Julie shook her head, but her lower lip continued to tremble and the occasional sob still wracked her slight frame. “N-no. Not too bad.”
“That’s my brave girl.” Damian saw no sense in driving home the point that the cause of her upset, the small cut she’d received while riding her bicycle, was already healed. He understood how she was feeling. He too found it difficult at times to recover his equilibrium once it had been sufficiently disturbed. His tendency to stay upset long after he ought to have recovered was something Conrad had never understood or properly appreciated.
“I told you we should have gone to the park,” Marc observed from his perch on one of the kitchen stools. “We almost never fall off when we ride our bikes there.”
Damian nodded. “Yes, Marc, you’re quite right.” The local park, with its smooth pavement and gently graded paths, was much easier for beginning cyclists to navigate than the uneven terrain and brick patio in their own backyard. On the other hand, there were usually other parents at the park, too many of whom might be inclined to notice cuts and scrapes that healed over too quickly. “But, as I’ve already explained to you, it gets dark very late during the summer months. It’s not practical for you two to spend much of your evenings at the park right now. Most boys and girls your age are already home in their beds and fast asleep.”
“Why can’t we go there during the day like the other children do?”
Because you’re not like the other children. Damian sighed. No. That was another point he need not mention. Marc was over-sensitive enough on the subject. “Because you’re already very lucky in that you get to stay up all night. I’m sure all those other children wish they could do the same.”
Julie frowned. “I don’t want to go to the park during the day. The sun makes my head hurt—my tummy too.”
“That’s ’cause we can’t ever eat when we’re there,” Marc said. “The other kids do. They have sandwiches and cookies and things like that. I bet that’s why the sun doesn’t bother them. They like it when it’s sunny!”
Julie’s eyes abruptly silvered. “They do not, Marc! You’re making that up. That’s stupid.”
Marc snarled back at her, his fangs dropping plainly into view. “I’m not making it up. You’re stupid.”
“Am not!”
“Are too!”
“Children!” Damian scowled at them both. “Enough! I will not stand for you calling each other names. You will both calm down—inmediatamente—and apologize at once.”
The twins scowled mutinously at him, their little chests heaving as they fought to regain control. Finally, their fangs safely back within their gums, their eyes returned to normal, they muttered, “Sorry,” in grudging tones. But then Marc fixed Damian with a stubborn glare. “Tell her I’m right. You know it’s true. They do like it. They said so.”
Damian nodded. “Sí. It’s very possible they did. And if it makes you feel any better, I’m sure when the two of you are older you won’t mind the sun so much either. I know it’s hard right now, but you just have to be patient, mis niños. Everything will get easier with time. When you’re older, you’ll be able to do almost anything you want.” At least he hoped that would be the case.
“But maybe if we ate the same food they eat, like cookies or something, we wouldn’t have to wait until we’re older.”
“No, Marc.” Damian shook his head. “No matter what kind of meal you ate, or when you ate it, you still would not be at your best when the sun is shining. That’s just the way things are, chico. And cookies are not even a meal—as I know I’ve told you several times already. They’re something children eat just for the fun of it.” He lifted Julie from the counter and set her on her feet. “But all this talk of cookies reminds me of something I’d almost forgotten. Are you two ready now to hear about the surprise I promised you yesterday?”
The twins both nodded.
“Bueno.” Damian smiled. “As it happens, I got up early today and went to the store while you were both still asleep and bought some supplies. Tonight I thought we would all learn how to bake cookies. And then, maybe, the next time you see the other children at the park, or perhaps if we invite them back here to play some time, you can share your snacks with them. Does that sound like something you’d enjoy, niños?”
“Yes!” Marc bounced excitedly. “I would! I would!”
“What kind of cookies are we making?” Julie asked cautiously. “Are they good? Will I like them?”
“I hope so, chica. I bought enough ingredients to make several kinds, so I’m sure at least one of them will suit you. I thought we’d make chocolate chip cookies and oatmeal raisin and peanut butter and something called Snickerdoodles—although possibly not all of them tonight.”
Julie giggled. “Snickerdoodles? That’s funny. Why’s it called that?”
Damian shrugged. “I have no idea, niña. But they’re made with both sugar and cinnamon so I’m sure they must be very tasty.”
Julie giggled again. “That’s another silly word. Cinnamon. What does it mean?”
“It’s a spice,” Marc answered, looking very pleased with himself. “Don’t you remember? Grandfather told us all about the spices. They’re those things that grow on islands and people want them to make their food taste better, so they come in big ships and steal the spices and make everybody slaves.”
“They used to do that, Marc,” Damian corrected. “Not so much anymore.”
Julie frowned. “Ships? I thought it was camels. Didn’t he say that they piled all the spice things up in big bundles on top of camels and then rode them across all those horrible, dry, sunny deserts?”
Damian sighed. He’d really have to have a word with Conrad about what he thought he was teaching the children. “I’m sure your grandfather wouldn’t say anything that wasn’t so, chica, but once again, nowadays most people simply buy their spices in a store. And, if they’re going to travel to remote islands or cross deserts, or travel any distance at all, they generally do so by airplane.”
ASHES OF THE DAYEverybody has secrets...but some have the ability to destroy them all. Damian and Conrad's road has been a rocky one, and Damian is struggling to trust in the relationship he and Conrad now share -- what seems like a perfect love. After all, it's fallen apart before, why couldn't it do the same again? Secrecy and conflict within the nest continues to grow, and Georgia's hold on the deadly secret she carries begins to erode. What she hides threatens their entire species...Buy Here: https://books2read.com/u/mZrMxJ
December 13, 2023
Wine Wednesday post Wimberley Valley Winery Red Reserve
Today's wine is the Red Reserve from Wimberley Valley Winery. It's a GORGEOUS winery--Big stone building, fabulous Hill Country views, AMAZING pizza. Unfortunately, while the land seems perfect for growing grapes, they source all their grapes from the Pacific Northwest (I think Washington?). Go figure. But the wine itself is made here and it's solid. Kudos to their winemaker, although I, personally, would skip the Blueberry. When I was there for a tasting, they told me they only use Stainless Steel barrels--no oak--but I'm thinking that's only the white wines. And, while I'm typically a big fan of really oaky Chardonnays, I have to admit that their whites were lovely and crisp and clean tasting. I was shocked to discover that I didn't miss the oak, at all.
However, I'm almost positive this Red Reserve is aged in oak. It just The nose is luscious. The description on the bottle says "strawberries" but I disagree. To me, it smells of ripe, dark cherries--possibly because I've held onto it for a year and a half--and maybe a touch of leather. I taste cherry and current, a little bit of spice. And, oh, the tannins!! It has a nice deep, dry flavor to it with just a hint of sweetness to the finish.
The color is lovely, as well. It looks exactly like grape juice. Actually, what it looks like to me is Manischewitz Concord wine. But please don't hold that against me--or the wine. It's a dark magenta shade that's too purple to be called garnet. They don't say what grapes go into it, but I would guess Nebbiolo. And maybe Merlot or Petit Syrah? Or possibly Grenach?
The tasting notes on the bottle suggest pairing this with tomato sauce dishes or brie, but again I disagree. I think a charcuterie platter--baguette, salami, parmesan, olives, grapes, smoked almonds, maybe some of those dried-fruit-and-nut crackers--would let this wine shine.
OR...the Sublime pizza they sell out of the food truck on the patio (fig jam, pistachio pesto, parmesan and feta cheeses, prosciutto, arugula, truffle oil and honey) which is only the best pizza I've ever eaten.
Also, they have a spiced wine, which is my favorite thing to drink in winter.
I would definitely recommend this wine--and the winery itself. And I think I'm going to have to visit there again soon and replenish my "cellar".
December 11, 2023
Romance Writers Weekly ~ Favorite Seasonal Recipes ~ #LoveChatWrite
This week, on the Romance Writers Weekly blog hop, we're asked to "Share your favourite seasonal recipe. What meal/dessert/treat is a must have on your table at this time of year?"
Ooh. So hard. So many choices. I think I've already posted about the mulled wine and the cranberries, so I guess it'll have to be the cookies again.
I bake a lot of different cookies--especially at Christmas--but these spicy gingerbread cookies have been one of my favorites for the last few years. My daughter and sister and I love them. The rest of the family...not so much.
https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchen/the-spiciest-gingerbread-cookies-ever-3561329
It's astonishing how often my characters bake. Even the vampires love cookies. These particular cookies were inspired by the characters in my Sci-Fi Futuristic Romance, Finders Keepers. Here's a brief cookie-baking scene:
https://oberoncalifornia.blogspot.com/2023/12/saturday-snippet-finders-keepers.html
Now, hop on over to Jenna Da a Sie's page to read about one of her favorite recipes.
I still think this is the cutest Christmas story I've ever written--and that's saying something, because I love ALL my Christmas stories! It came out unexpectedly sweet--which I did not see coming.
It's funny, romantic, VERY Christmasy, and makes me feel hopelessly nostalgic.
Plus there are cookies!
Christmas AngelAn Angels in the Afterlife Christmas Story
Being fully transparent is good for a relationship, right? Well, maybe not when it’s literal.
Christmas Angel is a second-chance, holiday romance with a celestial twist. Probationary angel Jake Hennessy's been sent back to earth to mend fences with his ex. Or has he? Certainly Tony doesn’t seem to think that's the case.
Tony DiCecco might have ninety-nine problems—and then some—between dealing with his meddlesome family AND running the family business (a Christmas tree farm in rural Texas) but he's pretty sure that playing catch-up with his ex-husband isn’t supposed to be one of them.
And what would even be the point? It’s hard to imagine what kind of future the two of them could have when one of them is alive and the other...isn't.
Music Monday: Christmas Waltz Peggy Lee
Last week I talked a little about writing dance scenes, and how much I loved it. Last year's Light Up the Night also had a dance scene. Because who doesn't love dancing vampires?
I chose this video because I like that the dance is not overly formal. This performance feels like Drew and Heather. In fact, if the woman had lighter hair, I'd have said it looks like them, too. Of course the setting is entirely TOO bright--because, hello? Vampires!
Read a longer excerpt here: http://rhymeswithforeplay.blogspot.com/2022/11/shall-we-dance.html
Buy the book here:https://books2read.com/LightNight
