Sky Purington's Blog, page 50

The Early Bird Gets The Present! Caroline Clemmons. Blog Event.

We're well into the first week of December and my 'What Every Woman Wants Beneath Her Christmas Tree' blog event is chock full of yuletide fun! New to this event? Well, it all about different authors and vendors visiting every two days and putting something under this blog's Christmas tree for YOU to win. In addition, every commenter between now and December 25th is entered to win a $100 gift certificate from Amazon!

Today I have the pleasure of welcoming over Caroline Clemmons. Caroline is giving away an Ecopy of Home Sweet Texas Home.
Let's hear from Caroline...Christmas is my favorite time of year! Hello from Mrs. Claus, otherwise known as Caroline Clemmons. At this time of year, I can't help feeling as if I am chief giver of gifts and chair of Christmas decorations...at our house anyway. My taking care of all the shopping earns me praise from Mr. Claus. What's more fun than shopping for the perfect thing for our loved ones? Sure I like getting gifts, but nothing is better than finding a special surprise I know will especially delight someone I love. This takes strategy, fitness, speed and, sometimes, bravery.
For instance, two years ago my youngest daughter and I stood in a long line in cold weather outside an electronics store waiting for a five am opening so we could snag a sale-priced gift I couldn't afford otherwise--a large sized monitor my husband wanted for his computer. If you realize that neither my daughter nor I is even close to being a morning person, this sounds more self-sacrificing. Hey, we had to get up way early to get there and get in line before five! I'd like a little sympathy here. Thank you.
We planned while we were in line. My daughter asked a store employee where the sale monitors were displayed. When the doors opened, I headed for a shopping cart while my daughter sped to the location. By the time I wove through shoppers to reach her, she clasped the desired monitor...and the stack was entirely depleted. Disappointed shoppers circled my daughter, shooting her the evil eye as they closed in nearer and nearer. I feared she would be mugged any minute, so we put the monitor in the shopping cart and got out of Dodge. Our tremendous sacrifice (remember--sympathy!) was rewarded on Christmas Eve when my surprised husband was delighted with the unexpected monitor.
Maybe that's not the real spirit of Christmas, but we were pretty happy. Yes, we're supposed to show love, offer reconciliation and understanding, and relieve hunger, strife, and all the other ills of the world. We can't achieve all of these, but the same daughter and I love to shop for an angel from the mall tree. On good years, we each take an angel or two; in lean years we share one angel. Either way, what fun! We imagine the joy a child will have and we delight in providing as much as we can for that person(s).
For me, one of the joys is decorating our home. I go crazy! My husband, who I've always thought of as the sane member of our partnership, tries to temper my enthusiasm. Poor man, he thinks having a tree IS decorating for Christmas. He sets up our artificial tree and adds the strings of lights. He would be perfectly happy if that took care of the house. Not me. I add so many decorations that the tree is barely visible. I have saved decorations from all the way back to the first year we were married and I've added more each year. Honestly, it looks terrific when it's decorated. Trust me. (Sure, you can.) My snow village and electric train under the tree add to the festive air. I'm in heaven and the cats, dog, and I sit and gaze lovingly at the joyful sight.
Then I start on the house. Wreaths on most every door, swags of fake evergreen, nativity sets everywhere (did I mention I collect them?), Santa and snowmen spread throughout the house. Then there's the outside--the plywood cut out of Santa in his toy-filled train, the lighted reindeer, and the lights on the hedges. (I eliminated the lights along the eaves after that little falling-off-the-ladder incident that almost broke my husband's leg.) Once all the decorations are in place, I take delight in our home's Christmas clothes. My sweet, tolerant husband is just happy I'm happy and will leave him in peace until time to put all this stuff away. What a guy! No wonder I call him Hero on my blog, right?
I send lots of Christmas cards. I mean lots. Many people have quit sending cards due to the expense. Others only send to people out of town. Not me. I love sending cards and my Hero is with me here. We enjoy receiving greetings and I reread them several times. I love those long (okay, one or two are boring) letters that some people include. My favorite cards come with a photo or two. I can't figure out how relatives' kids grow up when I haven't aged a day since last year. And why are some of my younger relatives sporting gray hair? It's one of the season's mysteries.
And thinking of happy occasions and giving gifts reminds me of my books. I love writing and love when readers tell me they've enjoyed one or more of my books. (I love to hear from readers at caroline@carolineclemmons.com ) So, I'll let you in on a secret. I have seven of my backlist books and novellas in historical and contemporary romance and a mystery at only 99 cents each on Amazon Kindle and Smashwords.
I sat slaving in my desk chair for months to produce these books (remember--sympathy!) and here I'm offering them to you for the bargain price of 99 cents each. What a deal! In the next month or so, I'll be adding a western historical, BRAZOS RIVER BRIDE, that's the first of a Men of Stone Mountain trilogy to my 99 cent books. And I'm placing one of these books under Sky's Christmas tree for her to give away, winner's choice. I'm also placing one of my releases from The Wild Rose Press under the tree, HOME, SWEET TEXAS HOME, a sweet contemporary romance that a modern day Cinderella story that has received rave reviews.
Purchase the .99 cent books at Amazon and Smashwords.
Purchase my The Wild Rose Press books HERE.
And while I have your attention, let me invite you to surf on over to my blog or catch me on Facebook. Follow me at Twitter.

Thanks to Sky for letting me share my love of Christmas, my books, and writing with you. Merry Christmas and I hope it precedes a healthy, prosperous and Happy New Year!

Sky here. What a lovely post, Caroline! I give you and your daughter ALOT of credit for standing out in the cold at 5 AM to scoop up a deal. I'm totally not a morning person so I beyond sympathize! Wishing your and yours a wonderful holiday season this year.

Don't forget to comment for a chance to win! Contest ends Friday, December 9th. 12 AM, EST.

The Magic of Christmas. Jennifer Jakes Littleton. Blog Event.

Welcome to my 'What Every Woman Wants Beneath Her Christmas Tree' blog event. For those of you just joining us, this blog event welcomes a total of sixteen authors and jewelry vendors. All will be putting something under this blog's Christmas tree for you to win. In addition, every commenter between now and December 25th is entered to win a $100 gift certificate to Amazon!

Today it's my pleasure to welcome over romance author, Jennifer Jakes Littleton. She's graciously offered an Ecopy of her novel, RAFE'S REDEMPTION. Be sure to comment for a chance to win.

From Jennifer's lips to my blog…
Hi everyone! I'm so glad to be here today. Thanks for having me, Sky.
To me Christmas lights are magical. There is something about the twinkle that immediately transports me back in time. I get the same oooh, aaaah feeling I used to when my mom finished decorating and plugged in the lights. Growing up in the South, we usually didn't get a white Christmas, but Mom would spray the fake stuff on the windows and the branches and garland. Then she'd drape the silver icicles all over the tree. By the time she was done, it felt like a winter wonderland. I'd lay beside the tree in the dark and let the twinkling lights mesmerize me.
Even as a kid, no matter what else was going on, there was something so calming and enchanting about watching those lights dance in the dark. It's a feeling I still get – no matter how chaotic the day might have been. I always put trees in several rooms of our house, and I love nothing more than sitting in the dark, watching the lights. I can almost feel the bite of the cold air, the sharp smell of pine. My imagination soars, just like when I was a kid. Maybe it's my mom's love I feel when I see the lights, or maybe it's Christmas magic. Maybe it's both. But to me, the greatest Christmas joy I get is in a dark room, with a hot drink, wrapped in the warmth of memories, imagination and possibilities.
What is your favorite Christmas memory?

***

Early in December, I'll be releasing a FREE Read. Check my website for more info. I'm also working on another Western Historical, Alaskan Heat, which should be ready in Spring 2012.

I hope you all have a safe and happy holiday season. Best Wishes and Happy Reading

Sky here. What a wonderful holiday memory, Jennifer. I really connected with this post. I love the magic of Christmas as well and as a child often laid on the floor staring in wonder at the twinkling lights on the tree. I thought I was the only one! Wishing you and yours a wonderful and magical holiday season.

Let's take a moment to learn more about Jennifer's latest release, TWICE IN A LIFETIME…

Be Careful What You Wish For. . .
No-nonsense stuntwoman Isabella Douglas will do anything to stop an unwanted divorce and reclaim the happy life she had, even allow her old friend to concoct a magical spell to turn back time. But when the spell goes awry, Izzy finds herself trapped aboard a 1768 Caribbean pirate ship with a captain who's a dead ringer for her sexy as sin husband, Ian. Convinced he's playing a cruel joke, she's furious – until she realizes he doesn't know her or believe they're married.
Captain Ian Douglas does not have time to deal with an insane woman who claims to be his wife; he has to save his kidnapped sister. But as Izzy haunts his dreams and fills him with erotic memories he can't explain, he's forced to admit he feels more than lust.

Trapped in a vicious cycle of past mirroring present, Izzy knows they only have days to find Ian's sister and prevent disaster from striking a second time. If she doesn't, their marriage will be destroyed again – along with the man she loves.

Purchase TWICE IN A LIFETIME at Amazon and Smashwords.

Jennifer Jakes Littleton's Website and Blog

Don't forget to comment for a chance to win! Contest ends Wednesday, 12 AM, EST

The Magic of Christmas. Jennifer Jake Littleton. Blog Event.

Welcome to my 'What Every Woman Wants Beneath Her Christmas Tree' blog event. For those of you just joining us, this blog event welcomes a total of sixteen authors and jewelry vendors. All will be putting something under this blog's Christmas tree for you to win. In addition, every commenter between now and December 25th is entered to win a $100 gift certificate to Amazon!

Today it's my pleasure to welcome over romance author, Jennifer Jakes Littleton. She's graciously offered an Ecopy of her novel, RAFE'S REDEMPTION. Be sure to comment for a chance to win.

From Jennifer's lips to my blog…
Hi everyone! I'm so glad to be here today. Thanks for having me, Sky.
To me Christmas lights are magical. There is something about the twinkle that immediately transports me back in time. I get the same oooh, aaaah feeling I used to when my mom finished decorating and plugged in the lights. Growing up in the South, we usually didn't get a white Christmas, but Mom would spray the fake stuff on the windows and the branches and garland. Then she'd drape the silver icicles all over the tree. By the time she was done, it felt like a winter wonderland. I'd lay beside the tree in the dark and let the twinkling lights mesmerize me.
Even as a kid, no matter what else was going on, there was something so calming and enchanting about watching those lights dance in the dark. It's a feeling I still get – no matter how chaotic the day might have been. I always put trees in several rooms of our house, and I love nothing more than sitting in the dark, watching the lights. I can almost feel the bite of the cold air, the sharp smell of pine. My imagination soars, just like when I was a kid. Maybe it's my mom's love I feel when I see the lights, or maybe it's Christmas magic. Maybe it's both. But to me, the greatest Christmas joy I get is in a dark room, with a hot drink, wrapped in the warmth of memories, imagination and possibilities.
What is your favorite Christmas memory?

***

Early in December, I'll be releasing a FREE Read. Check my website for more info. I'm also working on another Western Historical, Alaskan Heat, which should be ready in Spring 2012.

I hope you all have a safe and happy holiday season. Best Wishes and Happy Reading

Sky here. What a wonderful holiday memory, Jennifer. I really connected with this post. I love the magic of Christmas as well and as a child often laid on the floor staring in wonder at the twinkling lights on the tree. I thought I was the only one! Wishing you and yours a wonderful and magical holiday season.

Let's take a moment to learn more about Jennifer's latest release, TWICE IN A LIFETIME…

Be Careful What You Wish For. . .
No-nonsense stuntwoman Isabella Douglas will do anything to stop an unwanted divorce and reclaim the happy life she had, even allow her old friend to concoct a magical spell to turn back time. But when the spell goes awry, Izzy finds herself trapped aboard a 1768 Caribbean pirate ship with a captain who's a dead ringer for her sexy as sin husband, Ian. Convinced he's playing a cruel joke, she's furious – until she realizes he doesn't know her or believe they're married.
Captain Ian Douglas does not have time to deal with an insane woman who claims to be his wife; he has to save his kidnapped sister. But as Izzy haunts his dreams and fills him with erotic memories he can't explain, he's forced to admit he feels more than lust.

Trapped in a vicious cycle of past mirroring present, Izzy knows they only have days to find Ian's sister and prevent disaster from striking a second time. If she doesn't, their marriage will be destroyed again – along with the man she loves.

Purchase TWICE IN A LIFETIME at Amazon and Smashwords.

Jennifer Jakes Littleton's Website and Blog

Don't forget to comment for a chance to win! Contest ends Wednesday, 12 AM, EST

A Family Christmas Done Right. Beth Caudill. Blog Event.

New to this blog? Good! You've arrived in the nick of time. I've yet another fabulous author visiting me during my, "What Every Woman Wants Beneath Her Christmas Tree' blog event. This event is all about multiple authors and vendors visiting A Writer's Mind between now and Christmas Day. All are putting something beneath this blog's Christmas tree for you to win.

Today and tomorrow, it's my pleasure to welcome over talented romance author, Beth Caudill. Beth is graciously giving away an Ecopy of Healer's Fate to one lucky commenter. All commenters are also entered to win a $100 gift certificate to Amazon!

Time to hand this blog over to Beth...
My favorite part of Christmas is the Christmas tree. Laughter and love infuse the house during the few hours we spend decorating the tree. The kids make quick decisions on ornament placement and then I rearrange to evenly distribute decorations or to keep the more breakable objects away from the dog. Each ornament unlocks a memory – whether it's from my childhood or something the kids made.
By the time we're finished it's dark outside and we can see the splendor of the white lights glittering off the ornaments. Despite the lack of seasonal snow in North Carolina, a Christmas Tree brings that magical quality of Christmas into our lives.
On the other hand, shopping for presents is my least favorite activity. I enjoy people opening presents and the delight of the kids on Christmas morning but the actual going to the malls and shopping is torture. I do some internet shopping but that only works if you know what you want to get someone. Most times I flounder on what to buy.
Being a kinetic individual, I can't come up with ideas unless I go do the window shopping. I only wish there were less people crowding the hallways. Being jostled every step you take or being stuck behind a group talking in the center of the walkway and all you want is to move 2 storefronts down, takes what little fun there is out of shopping.
Eventually all the gifts have been brought home and wrapped. They don't appear under the tree until the week of Christmas. With two youngish kids and a dog, the less time a present is under the tree the better. In fact, the kid's presents are brought by Santa and Rudolf on Christmas Eve.
Yes, I torture my kids by placing all the relatives' presents under the tree and not theirs. I'm an EVIL MOMMY. And it's worth it to see their excited faces Christmas morning, because in the end it's all about bringing joy to our children.

Sky here. Wonderful post, Beth! I'm just like you. My little one sees a few under the tree until Santa comes. Isn't that half the joy? In my case, my son would drive me nutty trying to open them all! You're not an evil mommy.. just a smart one. *winks*
Let's learn a bit more about Beth's latest release...
Corliss Rumdone hides behind her status as Healer to avoid the normal wolf pack hierarchical challenges. A forced mating changes the course of her life. Instead of Raymond, the beta wolf selected for her, she mates with Liam—her best friend and heir to the Alpha pair.
Liam whisks them away to a shifter retreat so they can allow the mating bond to settle in private. But interference from those seeking power and two terminal children arouse past hurts and challenge their new relationship. Even their home is not the haven it should be as Liam must watch Corliss fight for the right to stay his mate. For one healer, death becomes a weapon to balance life.
Website ~ Newsletter ~ Twitter

Watch a Book Trailer...



Don't forget to leave a comment for a chance to win!

Gifts and Scents of the Season. Skhye Moncrief. Blog Event.

It's officially December and my 'What Every Woman Wants Beneath Her Christmas Tree' blog event is in full swing! Every two days a new author or vendor stops in to share a holiday story and offer giveaways. In addition, all comments on posts between now and Christmas Day are entered for a chance to win a $100 gift certificate to Amazon!

Today I'd like to welcome over author Skhye Moncrief. She's graciously offering an Ecopy of FERAL FASCINATIONS to one lucky commenter. Also up for grabs to one lucky commenter between now and Christmas, a $100 gift certificate to Amazon!

From Skhye's lips to this blog…

Giving gifts: What's Christmas without searching for that perfect gift for someone and finding it on SALE? I spend most of each year on that mission! I'm one of those sick people who has to give gifts to everyone. My 6-year-old daughter's second Christmas was a toughie. Between her friends and cousins, I had to buy for nineteen children! So, now we don't give adult gifts. LOL
Baking cookies: There's nothing like cookie dough! I used to bake about fifteen kinds of Christmas cookies. Then my wrists went bad on me. I couldn't squeeze the icing bag! So now, it's chocolate chip and pumpkin oatmeal cookies. The most amazing chocolate-chip recipe is on the back of the Hershey's Special Dark chocolate chips. Use butter-flavored Crisco instead of butter and add ¼-1/3 cup of molasses. I take them out of the oven when they're still a tiny bit damp and wet to the touch as well as barely brown. They continue to cook on the cookie sheet for a minute as they cool and are extremely moist when eaten. Perfect! People tell me these are the best cookies ever. And my friend's husband gets mad if I don't send him a cookie when she and her kids come over to play and have the cookies for a treat. ;) And then, there's all the homemade candy!!! I have a recipe for what we call coconut candy—a homemade Mounds Bar candy. Covered in dark chocolate, just like fingers when dipping things in the melted chocolate!
The scents of the season: Don't you love the way Christmas dinner smells? And Yankee Candle has every kind of candle you could want to burn during the holiday! My favorite Yankee Candle scent that I can't find any longer is Yankee White Christmas. Now, I have to go with pine trees and cinnamon.
Sky here. Great recipe, Skhye! Yummm. Thanks so much for sharing!
Skhye Moncrief's Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter
Werescape Book 1: COUGAR
Post-apocalyptic Earth: after alien invasion, AEI, 2064 AD, The Wild
With her beloved Shifter mate two days in the Oregon's ground, Sierra must choose to live or die. She has two options—join a Shifter clan by choosing a mate or live alone. Life is dangerous for a woman, AEI. Women choose protection in a group or are sold into slavery, even to the aliens. She opts for the protection of the clan, him.
He's glorious. Empathetic. And resolved to mark her. He will not lose her. Jackal, the powerful right-hand Shifter of the clan's leader, her brother-in-law, is determined she will be taken care of properly as mates aren't easily come by. Especially in The Wild. But they just met, and she fights mating in her early stages of mourning. Honor-bound with a vow made over his brother's death bed to see her safe, he internally swears to win her love. Whatever it takes.
But she harbors a dangerous secret. Born a Cougar, she dares not risk revealing she's a Shifter, or bounty hunters will descend upon the remote mountain village to capture her for extraterrestrials. Villagers would die in the attacks. However, her Cougar rises up to claim Jackal for its mate. Shifter meets Cougar. Cougar claims her mate. Never-ending fireworks mark their raw attraction. But when the post-apocalyptic world is determined to tear them apart, will Normals, Shifters, or aliens win? Bet your money on COUGAR.
Purchase COUGAR at Amazon.
Don't forget to comment for a chance to win an e-copy of FERAL FASCINATIONS. (blurb and reviews at the link) and whatever romance trading cards Skhye has. See her website for the cards she's created to get an idea of what she might have on hand. ;)

A Humorous Christmas Tale. P.L. Parker. Blog Event.

My 'What Every Woman Wants Beneath Her Christmas Tree' blog event continues. So far it's been a total blast! Just popping in for the first time? Well, this event hosts a new author or vendor every two days between now and Christmas Day. So sixteen features and over sixteen giveaways. Everyone who comments between now and December 25th is entered for a chance to a win a $100 gift certificate to Amazon!

Today I'd like to welcome over romance author, P.L. Parker. One lucky commenter will win an Ecopy of her latest tale, Will O' the Wisp.

A little Christmas tale of humor from P.L. Parker's lips to this blog…

He was exciting and fun, handsome and very masculine, but self-centered and self-serving. Stubbornly, my mind refused to accept those little warning signs. He was after all…so perfect.
Christmas season was upon us and it would be my first Christmas with a boyfriend in a very long time. It was to be a very special time. He'd given subtle hints about the present I was to get and my mind whirled with all the thrilling possibilities. We'd been dating long enough—it could be something really special. Christmas Eve and Day would be spent with my kids and my parents, so my friend and I decided to have our own private Christmas celebration a week in advance.

He invited me to his place for dinner, drinks and the exchange of gifts. I was so on edge with anticipation, nervous and excited, and when he told me early in the evening that my gift was "round," I knew what it was! A ring! It had to be a ring! I could barely contain myself I was so keyed up! Surreptitiously, my eyes searched every corner, looking for that small white box I knew had to be here somewhere. Dinner seemed to take forever! Would he ever bring me my gift?
Finally, he stood up. "Your gift's in the other room." He smiled mysteriously and disappeared into the spare bedroom.

My heart pounded! I would throw myself in his arms and cry "Yes, Yes," when he popped the question.

Banging and rattling came from behind the closed door. He must have hidden it well! Seemed to be taking awhile or perhaps it was just my own impatience making it seem longer than it really was.

The door slid open and he stepped out! My eyes bugged out. I froze. In his arms was a giant round thing! He dropped it on the floor and…it bounced. An inner tube?

I stared at the object. "Wha…? What is it?"

He gave me an odd look. "It's a float tube! For fishing!"

"For fishing?" My elation took a huge nose dive.

"Yeah. Soon's the weather warms up, we'll take this baby out for a run. You'll love it!"

"But I've never been fishing in a float tube!" And I didn't want to either. Granted, the tube was pretty fancy. Had it's own little mesh seat and a back rest, but it was still just an inner tube. Not what I was expecting! And definitely not something I'd ever wanted or would ever dream of buying for myself! I. Wasn't. That. Person!

"You should be excited," he exclaimed, animated. "This one was used in the TV commercial for the company."

"Oh," I muttered, feeling even more…crushed. "So it's a used float tube."

"Well, yeah. New ones cost about $150. You'll need to pick up a pair of waders and some flippers, too. That'll cost you about $75."

Oh, so he couldn't spend that much on me! I had spent almost $200 on his gift! And he was an engineer—at least that's what he told me!

"Oh, and you'll have to learn how to fly fish! Only way to fish in a float tube."

"I'm sort of a bait fisherman. Nothing more exciting than trying to skewer a worm with a hook!"

"My woman needs to fly fish!"

"You know what?" I gathered up my things. "I need to get home. My babysitter can't stay late tonight."

"I thought you said she could."

"I was wrong." I headed out the door with him trailing behind, the float tube bouncing along beside him.

"I'll carry this out to the car for you," he offered. "You can play around with it, get used to the feel before we go fishing."

"I can hardly wait," I murmured. "Feeling all goose bumpy just thinking about it." Chill bumps more like it!

He kissed me goodbye and I left.

A few months later, I got the chance to give that baby a run! My first try, the flippers stuck in the mud, I flipped upside down and almost drowned—saved by a nice older gentleman who actually cared!

Sadly, the relationship with Mr. Fisherman ended soon after that! Sadly? I probably should say happily!

Sky here. OMG, that was funny, P.L.. Love it! Thanks for sharing!

A bit about P.L.'s giveaway, Will O' the Wisp…

Stalked across the vast reaches of the universe, Tannis, the last fecund female of the clan Light Bringers, takes refuge on Earth, veiling herself within the dying form of a human female. Her energy forces are flagging and to rejuvenate, she must seek the healing properties of the sun's rays, but by doing so, she risks discovery by the hunter. Time is short and Kadin—the most feared assassin of all—draws near!

Purchase Will O' the Wisp at Amazon.

P. L. Parker
Romantic Adventure at its Best

Website ~ Blog ~ Myspace

Don't forget to comment for a chance to win an Ecopy of Will O' the Wisp and a $100 gift certificate to Amazon! Contest ends Thursday, December 1st, 12 AM EST.

What's Under Your Christmas Tree? Blog Event. Hywela Lyn.

Welcome! For those of you just joining me, it's all about Christmas at this blog. Now through December 25th, sixteen authors and jewelry vendors are visiting A Writer's Mind to share some heart-warming holiday stories and offer some fabulous giveaways. As an added bonus, everyone who comments on any of the posts between now and Christmas Day is entered for a chance to win the grand prize, a $100 gift certificate to Amazon!
It's time to continue my 'What Every Woman Wants Beneath Her Christmas Tree' blog event. Today and tomorrow I'd like to welcome over romance author and dear friend, Hywela Lyn. Lyn is graciously giving away to one lucky commenter a PRINT copy of Dancing with Fate and a hand-crafted Christmas ornament from the Christmas Tree Farm in the UK.

Let's hear from Lyn now! From Lyn's lips to this blog…

THE CHRISTMAS TREE FARM

I love Christmas – as long as it doesn't start too early! I like to have the 'magic' feel fresh and new, so we don't put the decorations up until a week before the great day and in keeping with tradition, don't take them down until 5th January, 12th Night.

I really enjoy the build up to Christmas, and one of the things that makes me feel Christmas is really close is choosing our Christmas tree from the CHRISTMAS TREE FARM. After our artificial Christmas tree at last gave up the ghost and went to the 'great artificial tree farm in the sky' my husband and I decided, to revert to the real thing.

There are a number of reasons why we decided to go 'real'. For each tree sold from the farm, another is planted, Since it absorbs carbon dioxide and 'breathes' out oxygen, each tree is helping reduce our collective carbon footprint. Although an artificial tree can be used for several years, the noxious chemicals produced in their production do nothing to help the fight against global warming, and they are certainly not biodegradable like a real tree. Also, it's a great day out and we can take our dog Bouncer as well.
At the entrance to the farm is a full size Father Christmas. A little wooden fox greets visitors as they go through the gate and we pass by the little workshop where animated elves are busy making the gifts for Christmas and preparing Christmas trees. (Although one in this picture seems to have decided it was time for a mug of tea!)

The Farm uses two Shire horses, Thomas and Ambassador, who are working forestry horses. They are owned and trained by Steven Jones, who is a highly skilled forester based in Wales. Shire horses are a breed of horse which was used as draft animals on English farms for centuries. They are believed to be descended from English "Great horses" which were also used to carry armored knights in medieval times. Shires stand at least 17 hands tall (5ft 8in - 6ft/1.7m-1.8m) and weigh slightly less than one tonne.
Despite their size, the horses have a very gentle temperament. The horses leave the fields in much better condition than modern tractors. Tractors running over the ground can damage the soil structure and reduce its fertility by compacting it. Horses weigh less than tractors and their hooves spread that weight over a larger surface area. As a result, even in wet weather, the field is not damaged by the use of the horses, and the farm tracks are left un-rutted.
At the end of the rows of trees is a corral where we love to make friends with the horses, who, in this picture, were having a well deserved rest.
We spend a long time choosing our perfect tree. There are many different varieties and sizes to choose from. Choice made, while our perfect tree is being 'netted', we visit the Christmas Tree Farm shop. It is always like a fairy land, with a huge selection of beautiful ornaments and decorations - and close to the counter, a full size sleigh with a moving Santa on his sleigh drawn by a beautiful reindeer.
There are also woodland animals in various places around the shop, with twitching noses and paws, looking very realistic. They also sell things like magical reindeer food and special keys that only work for Santa, for houses with no chimneys. The display changes slightly each year, but it is always full of enchantment.
Before I leave, do you know the legend of the Christmas tree? This legend comes down from the early days of Christianity:
In Britain, Saint Wilfred was a monk who was helping to spread Christianity among the Druids. One day he struck down a huge Oak tree, which in the Druid religion was an object of worship.
As the tree fell to earth, it split into four, and from its centre grew a young Fir tree, pointing its topmost branch towards the sky. The crowd gathered around the monk gazed in amazement.
Wilfred dropped his axe and turned to the watching people. "This little tree shall be your Holy tree tonight," he said, "It is the sign of eternal life, for its leaves remain green all year round. See how it points toward the heavens. Let this be called the tree of the Christ Child. Gather round it, not in the wilderness but in your homes, surrounded with loving gifts and gestures of kindness." And so it is, to this day.

Sky here. Oh, I'd love to visit the Christmas Tree Farm! It certainly sounds like my kind of place. Thank you so much for sharing these stories, Lyn. I didn't know the tale behind the Christmas Tree. While I mourn to hear of any Oak being chopped down, I love the part about the fir being a sign of eternal life.
AUTHOR BIO
Hywela Lyn lived in Wales for most of her life, and the beautiful countryside and legends inspired her to write. Although she now lives in a small village in England, she is very proud of her Welsh heritage and background. She enjoys weaving romantic tales of the future, and distant, mysterious worlds. Her pen name is a combination of her first two names.'Hywela' is Welsh and her first name but it was never used and she has always been called by her second Christian name, Lyn. One thing remains constant in her writing: The power of love. Love, not only between her hero and heroine, but between friends and siblings, and for their particular world and the creatures that share it.
She is crazy about all animals, especially horses. She lives with her long suffering husband, Dave, and her animal family includes two horses, two ferrel cats and an adopted Jack Russell terrier called Bouncer.
Lyn's first novel, 'Starquest', a futuristic romance, and and the sequel 'Starquest', 'Children of the Mist' are available in Ebook format or print from the Wild Rose Press and she is currently working on the third stories in the series. (Please watch her blog for more details) She has recently self published her fantasy novella 'Dancing With Fate' featuring Terpsichore, Muse of Dance, on Smashwords.
This was originally one of nine stories in the Wild Rose Press anthology 'Song Of the Muses.'
Lyn loves to hear from fellow authors and readers and can be found at her...
Website ~ Blog ~ Facebook ~ Twitter
VIDEO: 'DANCING WITH FATE'

Don't forget to comment for a chance to win a print copy of Dancing with Fate, a Christmas tree ornament from the Christmas Tree Farm and a $100 gift certificate to Amazon. Contest ends Tuesday, November 29th, 12 AM, EST.

Mega Christmas Blog Event. Ruby Vines. It Begins NOW!!!!

Season's Greatings! At long last my 'What Every Woman Wants Beneath Her Christmas Tree Blog Event' has arrived. If you're joining me at A Writer's Mind for the first time this event is all about what we girls REALLY want beneath our trees this year. Not sure about you, but books and jewelry sound great to me. That in mind, I've decided to host an event that welcomes sixteen authors and jewelry vendors within thirty days. Prize after prize after prize. All for the taking. All for you. Every two days, a new face and a new goodie to be won! Don't forget, everyone who comments is also entered for a chance to win the grand prize on Christmas Day, a $100 gift certificate to Amazon!

Each visitor will be sharing a holiday story or blurb that they hold close to their hearts. Did I hand select these ladies to share in such a momentous event? You bet. Each and every one is incredibly talented. So wrap a warm fuzzy around your shoulders, crank up that holiday music, bury yourself in a cup of hot chocolate and enjoy.

Today, I'd like to welcome the fabulously talented Ruby Vines (AKA- Alisha Paige).

From her lips to this blog…

Christmas and romance tend to go hand and hand for me, let me tell you about it.

It was early December when I went into labor with my baby boy. I woke up on a Sunday morning with serious labor pains. My husband rushed me to the hospital and we were both very nervous because the baby was breech. Once at the hospital they prepared me for an emergency C-Section. This was my third baby but I had had a VERY DIFFICULT birth experience with my second daughter so I was pretty much a fraidy cat. BTW, I had my second daughter totally natural and it wasn't by choice either…and because she was eight years after the birth of my first daughter, the doctor said it would be like a first birth again, a very long labor. Put it this way, I arrived at the hospital near midnight with my first daughter and she was born five hours later. That isn't a tough first labor so I was NOT prepared for the nineteen hours of labor from hell when I had my second child..so yeah…I was scared to death.

I remember being in pretty terrible pain sitting on the edge of the bed as my husband held my hands while the anesthesiologist stuck needles in my spine for my epidural. Tears started to flow and I was shaking like a leaf. My husband was so adorable in his scrubs and blue cap. He wore a mask too and all I could see was his big chocolate brown eyes staring back at me. He said, "Don't be scared, baby." About that time I felt warm liquid entering my spine. My husband kissed me through the mask as they laid me down. He squeezed my hand and I squeezed back, holding on. His strength gave me strength and I could just feel his love surrounding me. Or maybe it was the good drugs..nope..I'm pretty sure it was him..lol.
Pretty soon I couldn't feel anything on my lower half and the doctor and nurses came floating in. Everyone was talking about Christmas shopping and seemed to be in a cheerful holiday mood. The doctor told a nurse to put the Christmas CD on. All of the sudden I heard the voices of angels singing.

It was beautiful.
Almost spiritual.
Wait. It WAS spiritual. I felt like it was a message from God that everything would be okay. My husband looked down at me and smiled with his eyes. I told myself I could do this. As they cut into my belly, the nurses and doctors continued to blab about the holidays as if they weren't cutting into a human body. Within five minutes, they were trying to pull my son out but he was stuck. The cord was wrapped around his neck. The doctor instructed them to put him back in. Really? How crazy is that? And then the doc told a learning intern to roll the baby over and try to pull him out again and I'm not kidding when I say that the doctor checked his freaking black berry at this point and then glanced over to nod, as if everything was okay. Pretty soon I heard my son cry and they handed him to my husband.
The angels kept singing and my husband smiled over at me as he held our new born son in his arms. That was hands down the most romantic moment of my life and the most spiritual moment. It was like I was in a room with God AND my husband AND my new son. Benjamin was absolutely the best Christmas present ever!!! And three days later as my husband wheeled me out in a wheelchair to our waiting car with my son in my lap, we passed enormous Christmas trees in the lobby. The wide doors swung open and a gust of cold air hit us. Yep. Getting a baby for Christmas is just about the coolest thing ever. And I will never ever forget the romantic moment my husband and I shared. I swear, with each kid, I have fallen deeper and deeper in love with this special man. A nurse commented that she'd never seen a more in love couple. I have to agree. Merry Christmas, everyone! I hope your Christmas is full of love and romance and you get all your heart desires!
~Alisha Paige/Ruby Vines

Sky here. What a wonderful story! I got chills reading it. Absolutely astounding. Your son was indeed a wonderful Christmas present. Wishing you and yours many, many more wonderful holidays together, Alisha.

Ruby Vines/Alisha Paige's Website ~ Blogspot ~ Twitter: @Alishawriter

CHANCE TO WIN a copy of Deadly R&R Ebook!!!

Leave a comment by Sunday, 12 AM EST to be entered into Ruby's contest. Please leave your email addy in a comment so that the winner can be contacted.

Time to relax with a good book trailer....



Swing back in Sunday, December 27th as I welcome author Hywela Lyn to A Writer's Mind, Christmas Blog Event. Lyn's Prize: A paperback copy of Dancing with Fate and a hand-crafted tree ornament from the Christmas Tree Farm in The United Kingdom.

Happy Holidays,
Sky

Tons of Blogging! Loads of Fun!

Thanksgiving week has finally arrived and I'm busy, busy, busy. I'll not only be blogging here this week but I'm also hanging out with the fabulous ladies, Andrea and Corrina over at The Write Life. Pop over any day, Monday through Friday, and leave a comment for a chance to win a PRINT copy of my latest release, The Victorian Lure.

I'm thrilled to say that I'm not only a Wild Rose Press author but I'm also an Indie author. Interested in learning more about my road to self-publication? My tips and tricks? Join me at Catherine Bybee's blog on Tuesday. Be sure to comment there for a chance to win an Ecopy of The King's Druidess (The MacLomain Series-Prelude) and Fate's Monolith (The MacLomain Series- Book 1).

And, last but not least, FOUR DAYS AND COUNTING until my 'What Every Woman Wants Beneath Her Christmas Tree' blog event launches! Hold on tight because sixteen authors and vendors stop by A Writer's Mind between November 25th and December 25th. All will be leaving something under this blog's Christmas tree for you to win. The grand prize on Christmas Day? A $100 gift certificate to Amazon!
Best Regards,
~Sky

Back to my Roots. A Writer's Inspiration.

Welcome! It's been a few days since I posted. While life's been busy the truth of the matter is that I've been suffering from 'Blogger's Block' (similiar to writer's block- except pertaining to blog content. *winks*)
I hope everyone's having a fun-filled weekend so far. I spent a good portion of the day doing yard work. Here in New England it's officially time to rake. Okay, okay… it's past time to rake. Naturally, I waited to do it until we had a good windy day. *rolls eyes* Anyone who has ever raked knows what I'm getting at. Rake a portion of the lawn, breeze comes up and there vanishes your nice leafless lawn. Grrrr. But I got through it and for the most part enjoyed the fresh, cool air and family time.

So why am I telling you all of this?

Well, it was while I was out there raking away that I took the time to really look around at nature. I reconnected, so to speak. It amazes me how fast life goes by. How I drive down the road, walk outside or gaze out the window yet don't really see what's around me. The beauty of nature and the forest, the very thing that inspired me to start writing!
I can understand why Robert Frost (his farm is five minutes from me) was so in love with this land and everything it has to offer. I can still remember tromping into the woods as a child to my favorite spot. There I'd sit, spending hours and hours with my notebook (no laptops then!) writing away about everything going on around me.
I remember thinking that it was pure magic. The way the leaves changed colors in the fall and rained down. Then, before I knew it, spring had arrived and a new round of leaves were bursting from their branches. I even enjoyed the frigid months when the branches were bare and they clicked together in the wind as though applauding some grand performance only they could see.
I used to think the trees had secrets and stories to tell. You know what? Many did. They'd seen families come and go. The trees generations before had seen the first settlers arrive. The generations before had sheltered the Native American Indians. To my young mind, if an oak tree dropped an acorn and that became another tree, it kept all the memories of the tree from which it fell. Most likely, this's why many of my stories revolve heavily around nature, magic and time-travel.
The point is that in its own way, I found it refreshing and therapeutic to get back to my roots and remember what first inspired me to write. All writers should set aside the time to do the same. Many probably do. But I'm sure many of you are like me and life just gets too busy to stop and reflect.

I'd love to hear what first inspired you to engage in your craft, be it writing or something else.

Enjoy the remainder of your weekend. I can't believe it's nearly Thanksgiving!

Best Always,

Sky