Cynthia Eden's Blog, page 73
November 27, 2012
Dawn Halliday is ready for THE SWEETEST REVENGE (are you?)
It’s been a long party day…so I guess that means we should switch over and start talking about the party night! Author Dawn Halliday is here to get us in the night mood. She’s sharing some of her holiday traditions and offering one lucky commenter a copy of THE SWEETEST REVENGE (which I think looks awesome!!). Dawn, thanks so much for coming by!
Holiday Traditions
I think one of the best things about the holiday season is the different traditions we share with family and friends. There are traditions that many people share (turkey on Thanksgiving, for example!), and traditions that are individual to families. For example, here are some of my family’s traditions:
(1) make sugar cookies from scratch and hand them out to friends and neighbors
(2) take down the Christmas tree on the 2nd of January
(3) open 1 present on Christmas Eve; the rest on Christmas morning
(4) sing and listen to Christmas carols while decorating the tree
What are some of your family’s holiday traditions? One commenter will win an early copy of The Sweetest Revenge!
The Sweetest Revenge
December, 2012
Three Determined Women, One Fallen Man
When the Earl of Leothaid took Isabelle Frasier’s innocence, the resulting scandal drove Isabelle to England in humiliating exile. Seven years later, she befriends Anna Newton and Susan, Lady DeLinn, two other women whom Leo has similarly debauched and abandoned.
Isabelle joins with Anna and Susan to seek vengeance on the man who ruined them. But when her friends choose Isabelle as the object of their revenge, she faces an impossible choice: stand by Anna and Susan, or betray them by surrendering to her reawakening feelings for the wicked earl.
When Leo lost the woman he loved, he sank into a life of depravity and vice. Now, nothing and nobody can seep into his hard shell of a heart. But when three mystery women abduct him and shackle him in a dark cellar, Leo just might rediscover his humanity…and a love that may just lift him back into the light.
Warning: Revenge is a dish best served cold, and a woman scorned can deliver the coldest dish of all. Even a powerful alpha hero like the Earl of Leothaid will have no choice but to succumb to these women’s wicked plans…
Movie Time… (There’s an ARC involved here…and Shadow Agents, too.)
One of my favorite things to do during the holiday season is to sit on the coach, grab a big bowl of popcorn, and watch a holiday movie. Sure, I might even start a fire in the fireplace (provided, of course, that I’m not having a weather temp in the 70s). And when I do turn to these holiday films, there are certain ones that I just have to watch:
National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation
Here are a few of my favorite lines:
Bethany: “Is your house on fire, Clark?”
Clark: “No, Aunt Bethany, those are the Christmas lights.”
Oh, Aunt Bethany, I do love you.
Clark: “Can I refill your eggnog for you? Get you something to eat? Drive you out to the middle of nowhere and leave you for dead?”
Come on—haven’t we all wanted to take that drive to nowhere with a family member at one point?
Another flick I love…
Scrooged (Bill Murray makes me laugh every year.)
Favorite lines from Frank Cross: “I get it. You’re here to show me my past, and I’m supposed to get all dully-eyed and mushy. Well, forget it, pal, you got the wrong guy!”
And, of course, how could I make a list without It’s a Wonderful Life? And the bit from that movie that always stayed with me?
Clarence: “Strange, isn’t it? Each man’s life touches so many other lives. When he isn’t around, he leaves an awful hole, doesn’t he?”
***
What are you favorite holiday movies? Or lines? I’ve got a lot of prizes to give on this one—a promised ARC of my next Fallen book (AVENGING ANGEL—due out in May of 2013), and five digital/or print copies of my first Harlequin Intrigue, ALPHA ONE. (ALPHA ONE will introduce readers to my dangerous Shadow Agents.) ALPHA ONE will release the first week of January, but I will order your copies now. That’s six winners—so be sure to comment!
Sweet Treats With Shea MacLeod!
I hope that you are all enjoying the giveaways and holiday posts! Some of these posts are making me uber hungry–and our next guest, Shéa MacLeod, is determined to make me even hungrier! Shéa has a great paranormal series out now, but instead of talking monsters, she’s going to share some sweet treats (and *then* we can get to the fun monster talk). Welcome, Shéa!
(And one commenter will win a $10 Amazon.com or B&N.com gift card–winner’s choice!)
I love food.
Yeah, yeah, we all eat food. We all need food. But for me food is about more than just the mechanics of staying alive or even that it tastes good. It’s about family, togetherness, connection, and celebration. Every milestone moment in my life marked with a memory that tickles the senses.
Homemade banana ice cream, sticky and sweet, melting in the July heat as fireworks burst overhead. Violet creams melting in my mouth on the train home from Bath, England. Persimmon pudding slathered in rum sauce on Christmas day.
It’s no wonder I created a character who is as obsessed with food as I am. Anyone who has read the Sunwalker Saga books knows that Morgan Bailey has a weakness for pancakes and cupcakes. Wonder where she gets that from?
But what you don’t know is that Morgan, like me, has a favorite treat she bakes every Christmas Eve morning. Just like her mom did. Just like my mom did. The breakfast delight with flakey moist pastry, tangy raspberry filling, and a drizzle of vanilla icing which I made every Christmas Eve while I was living in England. It was a reminder of home and family and love. And also because it tastes good.
This recipe is from the Luna Café (http://thelunacafe.com/raspberry-cream-cheese-coffee-cake/), but it’s identical to the one my family has been using for years (though mine never turns out as pretty).
Raspberry Cream Cheese Coffee Cake
2 cups unbleached, all-purpose white flour, sifted
1 teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon fine sea salt
½ cup unsalted butter
3 ounces cream cheese (I use Philly)
½ cup milk
½ cup raspberry preserves (or your favorite preserves)
Icing
½ cup powdered sugar
1 tablespoon milk
¼ teaspoon vanilla
Optional
2 tablespoons toasted sliced almonds
In a large mixing bowl, sift the flour, baking powder, and salt. Whisk vigorously to distribute the baking soda and salt.
With a pastry cutter or fork, cut the cream cheese and butter into the flour mixture.
Quickly and gently blend in the milk.
Turn the dough onto a floured surface and knead VERY LIGHTLY for 4-5 strokes.
NOTE This is the step at which you can ruin the coffeecake. If you overwork the dough, the pastry will be tough. Just gather the dough together and don’t worry about making it smooth. It will still look a little rough. That’s perfect.
On waxed paper, roll the dough to an 8- by 12-inch rectangle.
Turn dough out onto a lightly greased baking sheet and remove the waxed paper.
Measure and mark the dough lengthwise into thirds.
Spread preserves down the middle third of the dough, keeping it about ½ inch from the mark on both sides.
Make 2¾-inch slight diagonal cuts at 1-inch intervals on each the long sides. Do not cut into the center jam-filled area.
Fold strips, first one from one side and then one from the other side in a rotating fashion, over the filling. The coffeecake will now resemble a braid.
Bake in a 425° oven for 12-15 minutes, until the dough is cooked through and the top is lightly browned.
In a small glass measuring cup with a pouring spout, combine the sugar, milk, and vanilla. Drizzle over the top of the coffeecake.
If desired, sprinkle on the toasted sliced almonds while the icing is still wet.
Serve warm.
Makes one 8- by 12-inch coffee cake.
I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as I have over the years. Maybe it will mark future memories for you and your family. Happy holidays!
Shéa MacLeod
Book link on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Kissed-Darkness-Book-Sunwalker-ebook/dp/B0081JUB60/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1353353192&sr=8-1&keywords=kissed+by+darkness
Book Blurb:
Three years ago, Morgan Bailey narrowly survived a vampire attack that left her with heightened senses, uncanny speed, and a new calling: supernatural bounty hunter. Since that day, sexy, street-smart Morgan hasn’t met a vampire she couldn’t dust or a demon she couldn’t kill—until she’s hired to hunt down a priceless amulet and the sunwalker who stole it. Sunwalkers—powerful vampires immune to sunlight—are notoriously difficult to find, let alone kill. Still, a job’s a job, and Morgan’s never been one to shy away from a challenge. So bring it on…right?
But the sunwalker ends up tracking her down. And not only that, he turns out to be cunning, charming—and undeniably gorgeous. Nevertheless, she can’t ignore the destruction he is capable of: the sunwalker possesses an ancient secret which, if unleashed, could destroy the human world. Captivating and fantastical, Kissed by Darkness introduces a kick-ass new heroine and an addictive new series for fans of urban fantasy.
Blog:
http://sheamacleod.wordpress.com/
Twitter:
https://twitter.com/Shea_MacLeod
November 26, 2012
Twitter Party Day! (#WarriorsAndAngels)
Today from 12 PM-1 PM Eastern time, Donna Grant and I will be having a party on Twitter (thanks to LitConnect for all of the fabulous assistance). There will be lots of behind-the-scenes book info, gift cards, and free books! Hope you can join the fun!
And, tomorrow, I’ll be hosting my DECK THE HALLS…WITH DARK ANGELS (holiday and book release) party here on the blog. Each hour, there will be a new guest–and a new giveaway. It’s a party week. 
Enjoy your Monday!
November 23, 2012
Countdown and Parties
I hope that you enjoyed a fabulous Thanksgiving celebration! And, if you’re out doing Black Friday shopping–then may you find lots of wonderful deals! (I’ll be heading out very soon…)
It is just a few days until the release of my next FALLEN book, ANGEL IN CHAINS…
And, to celebrate the release, I’ve got lots of party plans. First up, Donna Grant and I will be hosting a huge Twitter party (#WarriorsAndAngels) on 11/26/12. We’ll be giving away tons of prizes (gift cards, books), so be sure to check out the info:
On 11/27/12 (the official release day for ANGEL IN CHAINS), I’ll be hosting an all-day party right here on my blog. Tons of guest authors and lots of prizes!! Be sure to come back for the fun.
November 22, 2012
Happy Thanksgiving!
I hope that you enjoy a safe and happy Thanksgiving! Celebrate with the ones that you love!
I am so thankful for all of my wonderful readers–your support is amazing. Thank you!!!
Enjoy your turkey, your delicious pies, and the great memories that you make on this special day.
November 20, 2012
#WarriorsAndAngels Twitter Party!
Are you in the mood for some prizes? Because New York Times best-selling author Donna Grant and I are in the mood to give some away!
You can read the full details about the #WarriorsAndAngels Twitter Party here, but I also wanted to give you a peek at the prizes…
Pre-registration Prize:
4 Signed copies of ANGEL IN CHAINS
$50 Amazon.com gift certificate from Cynthia Eden
$25 Barnes and Noble gift certificate from Cynthia Eden
2 Signed copies of MIDNIGHT’S MASTER from Donna Grant
2 signed copies of MIDNIGHT’S LOVER from Donna Grant
2 $25 gc to either Amazon or BN from Donna Grant
Door Prize(s):
2 Early copies of AVENGING ANGEL by Cynthia Eden (AVENGING ANGEL will release in July of 2013)
$25 Amazon.com gift certificate
$25 Barnes and Noble gift certificate
2 Autographed copies of ANGEL BETRAYED by Cynthia Eden
2 signed copies of MIDNIGHT’S SEDUCTION by Donna Grant
2 $25 gc to either Amazon or BN
1 complete signed set of the Dark Sword series (6 books)
1 audio book of FORBIDDEN HIGHLANDER
So make sure you pre-register for our event! I hope to “see” you there!
November 18, 2012
New Release: THE WOLF WITHIN ($2.99)
Do you love dark and dangerous werewolves? If so, then I’ve got a new release that you just might enjoy…
FBI Special Agent Duncan McGuire spends his days–and his nights–tracking real-life monsters. Most humans aren’t aware of the vampires and werewolves that walk among them. They don’t realize the danger that they face, but Duncan knows about the horror that waits in the darkness. He hunts the monsters, and he protects the innocent. Duncan just never expects to become a monster. But after a brutal werewolf attack, Duncan begins to change…and soon he will be one of the very beasts that he has hunted.
Dr. Holly Young is supposed to help Duncan during his transition. It’s her job to keep him sane so that Duncan can continue working with the FBI’s Para Unit. But as Duncan’s beast grows stronger, the passion that she and Duncan have held carefully in check pushes to the surface. The desire that is raging between them could be a very dangerous thing…because Holly isn’t exactly human, not any longer.
As the monsters circle in, determined to take out all of the agents working at the Para Unit, Holly and Duncan will have to use their own supernatural strengths in order to survive. But as they give up more of their humanity and embrace the beasts within them both, they realize that the passion between them isn’t safe, it isn’t controllable, and their dark need may just be an obsession that could destroy them both.
Author’s Note: THE WOLF WITHIN is an adult paranormal romance. It contains werewolves, vampires, adult language, sexy times, and lots of danger. Please consider yourself warned.
***
THE WOLF WITHIN is an adult paranormal romance that contains approximately 60,000 words. It is available for the Kindle at a price of $2.99. If you don’t have a Kindle and you want to read the book–no problem! Easy! You can download the Free Kindle for PC App. And, actually, here’s a link to a ton of Free Kindle Reading Apps (that you can use on all sorts of devices). THE WOLF WITHIN and THE BETTER TO BITE are exclusive releases with Amazon at this time, but my next release ANGEL IN CHAINS and my very-soon-to-be-released Harlequin Intrigues will be available at all outlets.
I hope that you have a fabulous Sunday! And, don’t forget…giveaways are coming soon…
November 17, 2012
Guest Author Khelsey Rachelle (With Giveaways!)
Hi, everyone! I hope that you are having a terrific Saturday! I’m actually out of town for a bit, but while I’m gone, I’ve got a new guest blogger visiting today. Ah, I do love guests. And giveaways. I love giveaways a lot. So today, you have TWO giveaways going on. My gracious guest Khelsey Rachelle is offering up an ebook copy of her book, MY EVERYTHING, and I am going to give one commenter a $10 Amazon.com gift card. We’re spreading the prize love.
Now, I’ll turn over the blog to Khelsey…
***
Thank you Cynthia, for having me on your blog! My first book in the erotic genre, My Everything was just released with Hot Ink Press. I also have The Kallos Series a YA series under my real name, Khelsey Jackson with Crushing Hearts & Black Butterfly. I am very new in the writing world as an author, I was a blogger before.
Blurb
Jennifer Cruz just found her boyfriend of five years in bed with some blonde. When her best friend Megan suggests for them to go to a club for a hook up, she says yes. It doesn’t take long for Jennifer to meet the man she will go home with. Phoenix is mysterious and dark, but Jennifer wants him.
After a one night stand, Jennifer finds out she is pregnant. Her new boss is the mysterious and dark Phoenix.
Phoenix is an Incubus, and doesn’t believe in love. When the woman he has been thinking of since their night together is standing in his office he wants to scream. Jennifer has been haunting him for ten weeks, her face and smell has been burned into his head.
Jennifer hopes she will own his heart in the end, and will be enough for him.
Excerpt from My Everything
The bartender comes over to her. “What can I get you?”
“Tokyo Tea.” He nods and starts on her drink.
“That is a pretty strong drink.” She looks to her right, and there is a man in a flashy name brand suit sitting next to her. He is breath-taking in his beauty. His hair falls to the middle of his neck, and it looks dark. She can’t see the color of his eyes, but she has a feeling they are dark like his hair.
“It is the only thing I know I like.” She looks down at his drink. When he looks back up he is smiling. She wishes that she could see the color of his eyes. He moves his face closer to hers.
“Let me get you a Screaming Orgasm.” Jennifer gasps as he whispers into her ear. She starts to tingle from head to toe and then down to her core. This man is sex in a suite. She watches the bartender set her drink down and Mr.Gorgeous moves away. “Kevin, two Screaming Orgasms.” His rich southern voice has her picturing herself naked with him naked.
The bartender puts down two shot glasses. He raises his and waits for her to do the same. She watches as he drinks it like it’s was nothing. She quickly drinks it hers and it’s actually really good. He stands up and holds out his hand out for her. She slowly places her hand in his and as he pulls her off of the bar stool. Jennifer and Mr.Gorgeous walk over to a table and sit down. He sits next to her keeping an arm around her shoulders.
“I’m Phoenix, you?” She stares at him and is mesmerized by his voice.
“Jennifer.” He grins like he knows how he effects affects her.
“So Jennifer, what are you doing here?” She wishes she could really see him.
“Well, I am newly single.” She says and smiles.
“Oh Jennifer, you didn’t answer my question.” His lips are next to her ear and a shudder runs through her body. Just this man’s voice can make her think dirty thoughts.
“I want to forget about what happened. I want to feel something that’s real.” He slowly moves away from her. His dark eyes stare into hers. She knows what he must think about her and he just might run away.
“Oh Jen, what is it you want to feel?”
“You.” she says quietly and his eyes burn into her.
Now time for a giveaway! For an Ebook, tell me your favorite supernatural character. It can be from a book, TV show, or movie. My mine is Eric from True Blood from both the show and books.
(And don’t forget–one commenter will also win a $10 Amazon.com gift card! Good luck!)
November 16, 2012
A holiday (and book release!) party…
Want to win some cool prizes? Prizes like gift cards and ARCs? An eReader? Want to get some fun holiday recipes? Want to deck your halls…fallen angel style? Then please make plans to attend:
On Tuesday, November 27, 2012, I will be hosting an all-day party here on my blog. The party has two purposes: to celebrate the release of ANGEL IN CHAINS and to let people enjoy some holiday cheer.
Each hour, I will have a different guest author here with me–we’ll be chatting about the holidays, decorations, movies, treats and we will be giving away lots of prizes! So please mark your calendars. (By the way, all of the giveaways will stay open until noon on 11/28/12 so that folks in all time zones can participate.)
Hope to see you at the party!!
