Chrissy Munder's Blog, page 39
December 11, 2015
A month of minimums. Treading December and looking ahead.
December is speeding past and all I want to do is throw my hands up at the playlist of everything I still need to do that keeps running through my head on repeat.
Luckily, I can sit back, take a breath, and focus on this little saying that has helped me make it through 2015! Let me try that now …
… Okay, that’s better.
I’m not sure why December came on as such a surprise, or with such chaos. But instead of hiding under my blankie, I’m checking my list and pulling back to concentrate on the minimums I can get done.
Maybe I can’t get my whole workout in, but I can do 15 minutes. I didn’t have time to post two Free Kindle Pick o’ the Day posts on Twitter this week, but maybe I shared one. This blog post didn’t make it on Monday, but here it is today. I don’t have an hour to sit and edit, but you can make darn sure I’m getting 1/2 an hour of quality edits in!
Not a whole lot of perfection going on over here – but I’m still in the game, and still making progress. By letting go of my “got to’s” I’m freeing up room for more important things this month: Family, Friends, and the Joy of the present moment.
I’m also making time to visit SusannahConway.com and grabbing a free copy of her workbook, Unraveling the Year Ahead – 2016. It’s a great way to celebrate the progress (slow as it may have been) I’ve made this year, and prep for my goal setting/2016 planning session still to come. Be sure to get your own copy!
How’s your December going? Are you feeling the pinch and pull of too many to-do’s and not enough you? What carries you through the chaos?
December 4, 2015
Romance Anthologies - Today's your Day!
December 2, 2015
Better with Sprinkles. Romance, Cookies, and 30% off!
Our holiday celebrations continue with an excerpt from Better with Sprinkles. We love having friends and family join us in our traditional cookie baking marathons and surprisingly, there’s still enough to give away when we’re done. We have several favorite recipes and I had a hard time picking which one to include at the end of this story for my readers to bake and enjoy. In the end, both Tom and I favor the soft frosted sugar cookie recipe adapted by my grandmother and I hope you actually try the recipe and decide for yourself. Do you and your family have a favorite cookie recipe you make each holiday?
This and all the Dreamspinner Press holiday stories 30% off December 2-5!
College student Tom Molina isn’t too interested when his roommate Derek tries to convince him to leave his books and help out with the campus LGBTA Center’s annual Christmas cookie sale. But Derek has an ace in the hole to score the center Tom’s grandmother’s sugar cookie recipe: fellow volunteer Jeanette’s cousin just happens to be the organic chemistry T.A. Tom’s been dreaming about. Now Tom just has to hope Isaac is as interested in baking cookies as he is in chemistry and HIV awareness.
Excerpt:
The hardest part of the day so far entailed making sure wandering fingers left the finished product alone. Deciding to give up the battle in favor of winning the war, Tom fended them off with a plate of warm-from-the-oven samples, and suggested the group take a break to enjoy while he mixed up yet another batch of sugar cookies. In Tom’s view, there couldn’t be enough of his favorite soft cookie. Once topped with cream cheese frosting and sprinkles nothing equaled the taste.
“Do my ideas rock, or do they rock?” Derek mumbled as he surveyed the neat rows on the cooling racks with blatant, lustful intent.
“Back away from the cookies, Derek,” Tom said sharply. “You’ve already had your share.”
“But they’re so pretty,” Derek wheedled. “Just one, I promise. Pretty please with naked Isaac Peterson’s on top?”
“Something sure smells delicious. I followed the aroma from the parking lot.” A new voice spoke up behind Tom, and he whirled around, choking as he recognized the man in front of him. Oh my God, does he look good, was Tom’s first thought as he wheezed, his chest and throat constricting as he attempted to breathe. Oh my God, did Isaac hear Derek, was his second.
“Sorry, didn’t mean to startle you.” Tom’s college crush smiled at him, and Tom choked up even more. Isaac Peterson: just as amazing as he remembered—all blond, wavy hair and blue eyes, smiling, at him. Tom had dreamed about this moment. Often. But usually alone, naked, and slippery with lube.
Isaac Peterson. Naked. Lube. Tom had trouble seeing past the flashing spots of light in his mind’s eye.
“I’m glad you guys didn’t have any difficulty getting in.”
Ignoring Tom’s dilemma, Derek reached out to shake hands. “Nope, no problems at all. Thanks again for letting us use the kitchen.”
“You’re welcome, and trust me, you’ll pay during the actual sale.”
Tom bit his tongue when Isaac’s polite smile turned sly and just a little bit wicked, and he immediately saved the mental image to his fantasy-Isaac collection for later use. Right about the time Tom realized he wasn’t able to start breathing on his own, Laura walked up beside him and hit him sharply on the back. Tom coughed in response, sucking air into his starved lungs and watching in horror as an eager Isaac Peterson turned toward him.
November 30, 2015
35% off my backlist today @ Dreamspinner Press!
November 23, 2015
Spend your Holiday with Guest Author: Joe Cosentino
Please, Joe, take me away!
Why did you write A HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS?
After writing two Bittersweet Dreams novellas, An Infatuation and A Shooting Star (In My Heart Series) published by Dreamspinner Press, and a comedy mystery, Drama Queen the first Nicky and Noah mystery published by Lethe Press, I needed a vacation. My parents, sister, niece, aunts, uncles, and cousins had been telling me for years to travel to Italy. I always resisted due to the long plane ride and steep cost. However, like KuntaKinte charting his roots, I decided it was time. So my spouse and I dipped into our savings—and dipped into the Dramamine, and booked a flight and bus tour from the US to Rome, Naples, Venice, Assisi, Lake Como, Milan, Florence, the Amalphi Coast, Pompeii, Tuscany, and Lake Maggiore. We were exhausted, but we had the vacation of a lifetime seeing the most gorgeous architecture, natural resources, and views of any of our trip. We also ate delicious food and reveled in the art, history, and beauty (noticing all the statues were of very muscular, naked men). The people were warm and friendly as was the weather. However, there was no site more gorgeous, magical, and romantic than the Island of Capri. Upon arriving back in the US, I realized I had to write a romantic story taking place in Capri.
Why is Carpi so special?
While on the boat ride to the Marina Grande, the sight of the enormous cliffs sitting majestically on the water literally took our breath away. From the funiculare (cable car) we marveled at the stunning views of the island below and Mt. Vesuvius in the distance. At the Piazetta (main plaza) we boarded an island bus that zoomed around harrowing, tight corners like a car in a Fun House. We travelled to Via Krupp in the southern part of the island, and we walked through what Italians call “the villas of the rich and famous,” underscored by the sparkling turquoise sea below. We swam in gorgeous white sand beaches surrounded by artistic white stone formations like Marina Piccola. When we arrived at Mt. Solaro, our guide told us it was highest point on the Isle of Capri, five hundred and eighty-nine meters above sea level. As we looked out at the fog, the sun came up and the wind blew the vapors of fog upwards, crowning the clouds, and revealing stunning views of the Bay of Naples, the Amalfi Coast, and the mountains of Calabria in the distance. As we looked out over the turquoise water, white mountains, and azure sky, I felt like I was in heaven. However, the most magical of all was the GrottaAzzurra (the Blue Grotto). As our boat went through the tiny portal of the expansive cave, my breath was taken away by the water’s brilliant shades of iridescent sapphire and emerald from the sun’s reflection on the water in the cove. Capri also had the most amazing restaurants and shops on the water’s edge. And the people somehow all seemed beautiful and sensuous.
What is the storyline of A HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS
Bobby, a young, Italian American law student, travels to Capri to meet his quaint Italian relatives. Though they get off to a rocky start, he falls in love with his handsome, muscular, sexy Italian third cousin, Paolo. Their relationship with highs and lows and some captivating surprises is the core of the novella. Since I come from a long line of funny Italian Americans, I included a good deal of humor in the story as well with Paolo’s eccentric family. Readers say it’s like taking a romantic trip to gorgeous Capri, Italy—but far less expensive!
Tell us more about the main characters.
Like Harold in AN INFATUATION and Jonathan in A SHOOTING STAR, Bobby is sweet, sensitive, and smart. As a law student, he has buried his head in his books. As the novella begins, he is ready for an adventure—and ready for first love.
Like Mario in AN INFATUATION and David in A SHOOTING STAR, Paolo is handsome, muscular, charismatic, and like many people in Italy, much more interested in love than in work. He is also a gifted artist. Unlike Bobby, Paolo is very experienced in matters of the heart.
What is the moral of the story?
Take a chance on love.
Who is your favorite character in A HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS? And why?
Bobby’s mother is loosely based on my mother. She is hysterically funny, and loves her son dearly.
Which one of your characters was the hardest one to write? And why?
Paolo loves the finer things in life, but doesn’t want to work for them. He is quite concerned about his body, clothing, and social life. That is a foreign (no pun intended) concept to me. He is loosely based on my cousin’s cousin who lives in Italy.
Which one of your characters did you enjoy writing the most? And why?
Paolo’s grandmother is a riot. She is loosely based on my grandmother who said, “A boy leaves home with a wife or in a coffin.”
Why is the book a short novella rather than a novel?
It is a little holiday gift to my readers.
Is A HOME FOR THE HOLIDAY the first time you’ve written about a faraway place?
No, my Nicky and Noah mystery comedy series (DRAMA QUEEN, DRAMA MUSCLE, DRAMA CRUISE, DRAMA ALOHA) from Lethe Press takes place at Treemeadow College, a fictitious white stone Edwardian New England college, on a cruise to Alaska, and on a trip to Hawaii.
My Jana Lane mystery series (PAPER DOLL/Whiskey Creek Press), PORCELAIN DOLL, SATIN DOLL, CHINA DOLL—all The Wild Rose Press) travels to Hollywood and Washington, DC.
What’s next for you in terms of MM novellas?
Dreamspinner Press is publishing THE NAKED PRINCE AND OTHER TALES FROM FAIRYLAND (my gay fairytales) in February. They are quite funny, creative, and romantic.
What are you writing now?
A new series of novels in a gay beach resort called COZZI COVE. Though I hide under a beach umbrella due to my fair skin, I love the beach!
How can your readers contact you?
I love hearing from readers. They can contact me at:http://www.JoeCosentino.weebly.com.
After reading A HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS, people have said they’ve taken a little trip to Capri and had the romance of a lifetime. I hope readers will pick up this short novella. It’s a lot cheaper than a trip to Italy, and is bursting with the sights, scents, sounds, tastes, and romance of the magnificent island of Capri!
A HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS by JOE COSENTINO
a HEA holiday short story published by Dreamspinner Press
e-book $3.99
purchase: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=7125
Bobby McGrath’s Christmas trip to the beautiful Italian Island of Capri to meet his eccentric, extended family offers stunning views—none more stunning than his third cousin, Paolo Mascobello, a real stocking stuffer. As the two young men embark on a relationship, Bobby, a driven law student, learns to relax and bask under the old Italian moon, and Paolo realizes there’s more to life than a frolic on the beach. For the two to find everlasting amore, Paulo must overcome his fear of commitment and learn to follow his dreams, and Bobby must get his wish for happily ever after. “Reading this little holiday treat is like taking a romantic trip to gorgeous Capri, Italy!”
Excerpt from A HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS by Joe Cosentino
published by Dreamspinner Press
“Bobby, every Christmas your father and I buy you a nice gift and you return it. So this year before we go shopping, I’m asking you. What do you want for Christmas, exactly?”
I was tempted to answer, “How about the new Zeb Atlas DVD, Mom?” No longer reading my law textbook, I pressed the cell phone against my ear and responded, “My red sweater is getting frayed. I guess I could use a new one, Mom.”
“I don’t like red on you. I’ll get you a green sweater. It will go nicely with your eyes. You’ll be twenty-four in June. Nobody ever caught a husband wearing red clothes, except for Mrs. Klaus, and then look how overweight he was.”
I adjusted the heavy book on my knees and leaned back against the headboard of my narrow dorm room bed. Since fall semester of my third year of law school was over, my roommate had already gone back to Utah to be with his father and three mothers. Normally I would go home for the holidays.
As far back as I can remember, every December twenty-third through the twenty-fifth my mother works herself to exhaustion while forbidding anyone to help her. Since I am not married, I am seated at the kiddy table, where I dodge meatball and manicotti grenades courtesy of my little nieces and nephews. Then the gifts are bestowed with price tags on them so we all know “How many hours your father and I had to work to be able to buy our children such beautiful things.” This is followed by “oohs” and “ahhs” for every gift except the presents from me, which garner comments from my parents and two sisters like, “Oh well, I can wear that for dress-down day at work… if I keep on my coat.” After the extended family of aunts, uncles, and cousins arrive for dessert (cannoli grenades at the kiddy table), my mother’s side (the Mascobellos) eat the pastries, and my father’s side (the McGraths) drink the liqueurs, while I sit upstairs in my old bedroom reading law case decisions on the Internet.
This Christmas is going to be different. Throughout my childhood I heard stories about my mother’s now deceased father who had a first cousin in Capri, Italy. Mom, “too exhausted from taking care of all of you to survive such a journey,” had recently spoken on the phone to her deceased father’s cousin’s daughter-in-law (got that?), and the two women had arranged for me to spend this Christmas with my Italian relatives. This led to my Christmas in Italy with my Italian cousin, Paolo Mascobello.
Praise for Joe Cosentino’sIn My Heart novellas, AN INFATUATION &A SHOOTING STAR, from Dreamspinner Press:
“unbelievably beautiful” “a masterpiece” Lovebytes Reviews
“as Joe Cosentino proves time and time again, with his wonderful writing and storytelling ability, love will prevail, and you will smile from ear to ear." Kathy Mac Reviews
“a master class in how to write short fiction (or any fiction). Joe Cosentino has provided a work that will leave you thinking and wanting to savor and re-read it again and again.” GGR Reviews
“Like an onion, Joe Cosentino's stories have layers.” “For those readers looking for something a little bit different - dare I say unique? For those readers who like to laugh. For those readers who appreciate the nuances of people and the way each character is different. For those readers who want to read a damn good story - check out this author. I'm glad I did.” “A truly fabulous read.” Boy Meets Boy Reviews
“This story just blew me away.” Cathy Brockman Romance/MM Good Book Reviews
“From the beginning I was enthralled and couldn’t wait to finish the book.” Inked Rainbow Reads
“really grabs you and tugs at your emotions” “unique and enjoyable.” Nautical Star Books
“It turned out exactly how I wanted it to.” BFD Book Blog
“This is polished prose at its best. Intelligent writing, a thought-provoking plot and characters befitting the theater genre” “one of my favorite reads this year.” Love’s Last Refuge Reviews
“Don't miss this one friends, it is a heartfelt story magical in the telling! Thanks Joe for putting your heart on the page for us to savor!”
Bike Book Reviews
“It’s unusual for me to get sucked into a book in the first chapter but it grabbed me early and I read the whole thing in one day”.
Nautical Star Books
“There were times I laughed and then there were times I cried…unforgettable.” Multitaskingmomma Reviews
"I really loved this book and having an ending that made me laugh and cry at the same time is testament to the brilliant writing." BooksLaidBareBoys
"The author executed his storyline with a marvelous precision that would be the envy of many authors. He draws the readers into the lives of his characters, they become real and in turn, their emotions becomes yours." "If you can only afford to buy one more book this year, buy this one.” Three Books Over the Rainbow Reviews
About Joe:
Amazon Bestselling author Joe Cosentino wrote An Infatuation, A Shooting Star, A Home for the Holidays (Dreamspinner Press), Drama Queen the first Nicky and Noah mystery (Lethe Press), Paper Doll the first Jana Lane mystery (Whiskey Creek Press), and The Nutcracker and the Mouse King (Eldridge Plays and Musicals). He has appeared in principal acting roles in film, television, and theatre, opposite stars such as Bruce Willis, Rosie O’Donnell, Nathan Lane, Holland Taylor, Charles Keating, and Jason Robards. His one-act plays, Infatuation and Neighbor, were performed in New York City. He wrote The Perils of Pauline educational film (Prentice Hall Publishers). Joe is currently Head of the Department/Professor at a college in upstate New York, and is happily married. His upcoming releases in 2016 are The Naked Prince and Other Tales from Fairyland (Dreamspinner Press short stories novella), Porcelain Doll the second Jana Lane mystery (Wild Rose Press), and Drama Muscle the second Nicky and Noah mystery (Lethe Press).
Web site: http://www.JoeCosentino.weebly.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/JoeCosentinoauthor
Twitter: https://twitter.com/JoeCosen
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4071647.Joe_Cosentino
Amazon: Author.to/JoeCosentino
Want to write with me thru the Holidays?
Happy Monday, y’all! Despite my best, finger-clutching efforts the months have sped past and the Holiday Season is upon us. Eeek! Are you ready? Normally I’d say I’m not, but I’m in pretty good shape this year!
*let’s pause for a celebratory confetti toss*
And while I’m not participating in NaNoWriMo, I’m happy to say I’ve also powered thru my writing every day for the last 36 days!!
*whoohoo! we’re making it rain confetti up in here*
Want to help me keep the momentum going? It doesn’t matter if you’re a writer looking for an accountability partner, or a fellow The Walking Dead junkie who refuses to accept Glenn’s dead. (Me!Me!) All you need is a Twitter account and the urge to stop by @ChrissyMunder and say hey! when you get a chance. Once a day, or once a week, it’s all good. Let me know you’re interested and I’ll return the favor.
You can catch me live most weekdays at 7:00 am EST, but let’s face it, some days I’m hitting that computer right before bed. Especially when it’s family visit time. That’s okay, as long as I work on my WIP at least once a day and with your encouragement I know I will.
Who’s game?
November 19, 2015
2nd best Birthday Card received this year.
November 18, 2015
Warm up to the Holidays with Winter Warmers
Where's the Snow, Snow, Snow? Originally posted December 13, 2012
With Michigan's unseasonably warm and dry weather it seems as if everyone except us has snow this year. But that's okay, we can join the authors of Winter Warmers this week on our Toe-Tingling, Finger-unFrosting, Neck-Nuzzling, Sofa-Snuggling Blog Tour to find our Holiday Spirit!
Each day, one of us will chat about the why and how of our warming, heartfelt, romantic and amusing stories. Feel free to chat with any of us about your thoughts for the season – especially if you have equally good ideas to keep warm. And your comment will also enter you into a draw on Monday Dec 17 to win a FREE COPY.
Clare London started us out on Monday, Josephine Myles carried us through to Tuesday, and Lou Harper put us over the hump on Wednesday with an explaination of just what is a cockle, much less how to warm one. Stop by their blogs and say hello, then be sure to visit with J.L. Merrow on Friday.
It's December 13th, and as I look out my window there is not a single snowflake to be seen. The yard is still a vibrant shade of green and the squirrels are happily streaking through grass that needs a mow instead of bounding over drifts and sliding on the icy deck in search of the sunflower seeds our cat insists we put out for them. Is this really Michigan? Looks like we'll have to drive north to the 45th Parallel, that halfway point between the equator and the North Pole, if we want to have a white Christmas.
You might think we'd be glad not to have to deal with all the fluffy white stuff, wouldn't you? But without it, there's little call for Chez Munder to pull out our collection of wild and woolly knitwear and head to the nearest toboggan run. That's a shame as in my contribution to the anthology, Butterscotch Kisses, both Adam's occupation and assortment of character hats were inspired by some of our family's real life snow adventures. I had a lot of fun sharing our winter fun (and favorite warming drink) with Adam and Matthew, and it's no surprise to us the two of them ended up together. You try resisting a man in a moose-head hat.
(Psssst. I'll tell you a secret - it's all in the horns!)
It's a tradition to find a new hat each year and we are looking for our latest addition. So what design do you think would top a moose, a sock monkey, a lizard, and a Pikachu when it comes to headgear? Leave me a comment and share a link to the winter hat you think we should buy for 2012!
WINTER WARMERS - a seasonal anthology
Mulled wine. Butterscotch kisses. Hideous sweaters. Candy at the beach, or a trip to a sex shop in Amsterdam. And the man of your dreams, wrapped around you...
Winter warmers come in many shapes and sizes, from the tongue-in-cheek to the hot-as-hell. Enjoy a quintet of heart-warming tales of men loving men from Clare London, Chrissy Munder, JL Merrow, Josephine Myles, and Lou Harper that are guaranteed to leave you with a smile on your face.
One thing's for sure—it's going to be a red-hot Christmas!
Available here on Amazon UK , Amazon US , and All Romance Ebooks .
Lucky Dip by Clare London
Andy Jackson always knew that class 2C’s help in preparing for the annual Christmas Fair would be a mixed blessing. Then he’s paired up on the Lucky Dip with Greg, the man who dumped him but now can’t keep away, the pupils are either lecturing him on his lovelife or losing bladder control, and no one’s fixed the broken handle on the storage room. It may all be one whoopee cushion too far for him.
Butterscotch Kisses by Chrissy Munder
Matthew Morrison is determined to conquer his fear of heights and achieve a winning outcome. At least, that's what the best-selling, self-help book he's listening to promises. Being stuck on a three-story tower in the middle of a snowstorm wasn't part of the plan. With no St. Bernard in sight, it's Cute Ticket Guy Adam to the rescue, and an outcome Matthew never anticipated.
Wintertide by Lou Harper
May meets December when Jem and Oscar chance on each other at the Santa Monica Pier, only weeks before Christmas. The two men are separated by age, social status, and their taste in candy, yet if they are both naughty and nice, they might just find holiday cheer together.
When in Amsterdam... by Josephine Myles
Brandon is on his first visit to new boyfriend Jos's home country, just in time for their Sinterklaas celebrations. But an unexpected detour into a sex shop leads Brandon to new discoveries about himself, and a whole new dynamic to their relationship. The weather may be cold and damp, but Brandon and Jos soon heat things up!
A Pint of Beer, a Bag of Chips, and Thou by JL Merrow
What's the best gift a young man could get for Christmas? Mohawked saxophonist Liam wouldn't have picked the hideous collection of knitwear he's presented with by his mum and his aunties. He'd rather have the gorgeous older man he sees every day while busking at King's Cross. But with a little Christmas magic in the air, maybe those garish garments are just the thing for attracting a silver fox...
Stop by my
Holiday Page
for more heart-warming Holiday Stories!
November 16, 2015
Exploring the boundaries between us and our stuff
We also spent some time packing up five of my over-filled bookcases and now have 37 boxes ready to donate to the library. The contents of four other over-filled bookcases will be finding homes with friends and family, and then I have to contemplate the upstairs bookcases. *Whew*
It's been hard. I won't deny that. And letting go is a process. (I can't tell you how many times I've heard that pithy bit of advice. Well, guess what - It's true.) Doesn't matter if it's clothes, books, fishing gear, or even unfinished WIPs.
It is somewhat reassuring to learn those of us who err on the side of potential hoarding aren't alone, and that we can gently, and humorously accept our enthusiasms sometimes outstrip our available time and abilities. In light of that, I want to share a discussion from Gayle Goddard I found surprisingly helpful (and a bit too on point) over the last couple of months regarding the relationship between us and our stuff.
Do you find it hard to let go of "stuff"? Do you dread the thought of downsizing in both your regular and writing life? What has helped you find humor and balance?
November 9, 2015
I am Invincible!
Ha! Take this oh yeasty bread gods:
Next up? We’ll tackle actual loaves.
Anyone have an easy recipe for me to try?
