Roxanne Rhoads's Blog, page 457

10 gifts for fantasy lovers : Guest blog and Giveaway for Desprite Measures Release Day Blitz

Thanks Roxanne for inviting me to share with your readers today. 

As it is the holiday season, I’m going to offer you a selection of fantasy-themed gifts – perhaps you can persuade someone that you really need one! 

Earlier this year I came across these gorgeous goblets:

  unicorn green dragons red dragon 
 All around the $30 mark.


 And this amazing skeletal hand goblet from the UK, around $20  

 Weird and creepy, but cool, huh? 

What I actually went looking for, was earrings. 


Instead, I turned up these gorgeous ear cuffs
  Dragon snake Around $5, 
and:
  Gothic dragon in silver or gold tone around $10 

 And these Gothic bramble of blood also from the UK, around $10 

 Or these: Gothic Punk Elf rhinestone ear cuffs, from China, around $5 


 For the vampire lovers out there, how about Catherine's anti-sunlight pendant (Vampire Diaries)? currently on sale at under $15 

Or get a vampire makeover with some bite mark transfer tattoos? under $5 

If you fancy something new to read, consider trying out up and coming author Carlie M A Cullen. First in a trilogy, Heart Search: 

Lost is a unique vampire novel; with hard edged blood and murder, sweet passion and romance, and two intertwined tales, the glorious writing will leave you panting for more. Fate toys with mortals and immortals alike as one bite starts it all... Never fear, part 2 is available, and part 3 will be along soon. 

Or for the kids, Christmas O'clock, is an anthology of holiday-themed stories including magic, space travel, and Rudolph. With two complete chapter books, lots of stories, and plenty of spirit, this anthology is great for kids of all ages. All proceeds go to Water Is Life to help children and families in an international effort. $2.99 ebook or $9.49 for the paperback. 

 To make yourself feel more the part, how about this Death Belle outfit $130, 
or these Victorian-style boots? A steal at $55 

 Have trouble knowing where the time goes? How about this gargoyle hour glass? Just $9.99

 How about a DVD? The Hobbit - the extended version, to see more of the action - $25  

 Or if you're feeling really adventurous, how about going the whole hog and taking a Red Carpet Tour of Middle Earth? 

 Here's me doing just that, 2013 New Year's Day in Hobbiton :)  

14 day tour, visit around 3 film locations a day: about $5500 plus flights 

Finally, if you're not feeling quite up to travelling as far as New Zealand, why not book to go to the next WORLD FANTASY CONVENTION? 6-9th November 2014 in Washington - current membership price is $200, so get in there now before it goes up. Here is my haul of freebie books from this year :D

   

 Have a great holiday!

Interviews
Books & Tales http://booksandtales.blogspot.co.uk/
Pembroke Sinclair.  www.pembrokesinclair.blogspot.com
Roxanne’s Realmwww.roxannesrealm.blogspot.com 

Guest posts 
Mythical Bookshttp://mythicalbooks.blogspot.ro/
Fang-tastic Bookswww.fang-tasticbooks.blogspot.com 

Spotlights
Lipstick Lesbian Reviewshttp://www.lipsticklesbianreviews.com/
Tanya's Book Nook, http://tanyasbooknook.blogspot.com
Lissette E. Manninghttp://www.simplistik.org/lissetteemanning
Laurie's Paranormal Thoughts and Reviewshttp://lauriethoughts-reviews.blogspot.com
Queen of the Night Reviews http://queenofthenightreviews.blogspot.com/
Literal Hotties Naughty Book Reviewshttp://literalhottiesnaughtybookreviews.blogspot.com/
Wicca Witch 4 Book Bloghttp://wiccawitch4.blogspot.ca/
Book Liaison – http://www.bookliaison.net
Share My Destinyhttp://sharemydestiny.blogspot.com
Book SuburbiaWww.booksuburbia.com
Darker Passions  http://darkerpassions.net
Extaordinaryreadshttp://extaordinaryreads.com/
Paranormal Romance Fans for Lifewww.paranormalromancefanforlife.blogspot.com



Desprite MeasuresThe Caledonian Sprite SeriesBook 1Deborah Jay
Genre:   Urban Fantasy
Word Count:    95,000
Cover Artist:   Alexandria N. Thompson  
Book Description:On the surface she's a cute and feisty blonde, a slender pocket rocket fitness coach. But Cassiopeia Lake has a secret; she's really a force of nature – an elemental.Water sprite, Cassie, has lived undisturbed in her native Scottish loch for eons. Now, one encounter too many with modern plumbing has driven her to live in human guise along with her selkie boyfriend, Euan. It’s all going fine - until a nerdy magician captures Cassie to be an unwilling component in his crazy dangerous experiment.
Escape is only Cassie’s first challenge.
She’s smitten by her fellow prisoner, the scorching hot fire elemental, Gloria. But how do you love someone you can never touch?
And what do you do when your boyfriend starts to hero-worship your persecutor? Not to mention that tricky situation of being the prize in a power contest between two rival covens of witches.
So when Gloria’s temper erupts and she sets out to murder the magician, can Cassie keep her loved ones safe from the cross-fire, or will she be sucked into the maelstrom of deadly desires and sink without trace?
Amazon
About the Author:
Deborah Jay writes fast-paced fantasy adventures featuring quirky characters and multi-layered plots – just what she likes to read.
Living mostly on the UK South coast, she has already invested in her ultimate retirement plan – a farmhouse in the majestic, mystery-filled Scottish Highlands where she retreats to write when she can find time. Her taste for the good things in life is kept in check by the expense of keeping too many dressage horses, and her complete inability to cook.
Her debut novel, epic fantasy THE PRINCE’S MAN, first in a trilogy and winner of a UK Arts Board award, was published in July 2013, with THE PRINCE’S SON due out summer 2014.
Urban fantasy, DESPRITE MEASURES, is the opening novel of the five book CALEDONIAN SPRITE SERIES. 
She also has non-fiction equestrian titles published in her professional name of Debby Lush.
http://deborahjayauthor.com/
https://twitter.com/DeborahJay2
https://www.facebook.com/DeborahJay
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7172608.Deborah_Jaya Rafflecopter giveaway

Guest blog and Giveaway: Christmas Past by Susanna Fraser

Christmas in Wellington's Army
During the Napoleonic Wars, the British army fighting the French in Spain and Portugal spent six Christmases away from home, 1808-13. That first year there was little holiday cheer to be found. The army was fighting to survive, retreating through the wintry mountains. But most of their Christmases were spent in the relative peace and comfort of winter quarters, where homesick soldiers could try to replicate a traditional English celebration.
In the Regency era, that chiefly meant a feast. Much of what we now think of as a traditional Christmas actually dates to the Victorian era—Christmas trees (in England and America—they were already traditional in Germany), Christmas cards, Santa Claus/Father Christmas, Christmas crackers, and even gift giving on a major scale.
But the Christmas dinners Wellington's officers enjoyed should sound familiar—roast beef, turkey, plum pudding, mince pies, and punch, followed by toasts to absent friends, the king, the navy, Lord Wellington, and other notables. Common soldiers didn't fare as well as the officers, but their commanders tried to ensure they had better than average dinners for Christmas and again a week later at the new year.
And there were a few Christmas trees in Wellington's army—just not put up by British soldiers. Because the King of England was also the Elector of Hanover (a territory in present-day Germany), there were also Hanoverian soldiers in the army. When they could, they followed German customs and improvised Christmas trees, such as lemon trees decorated with oranges and candles. In Christmas Past, my 21st-century heroine Sydney sees such a tree and loves it even though compared to what she had back home in 2013 it's a total Charlie Brown tree.
Just as in later wars, officers counted on friends at home to supply them with treats and luxuries. Not only during the holidays but around the year, friends and family back in Britain sent treats--not usually sweets, but ham, tongues, pickles, cheese, venison, and the like. Home comforts made Christmas at war easier to bear.
Have you ever been far from home for the holidays? What would you do to remind yourself of home?
(In preparing this post, I'm indebted to Life in Wellington's Army, by Antony Brett-James, one of my go-to research sources.)
Christmas PastSusanna Fraser
Entangled Ever After
Release Date: November 25, 2013
Book Description:
Time-traveling PhD student Sydney Dahlquist’s first mission sounded simple enough—spend two weeks in December 1810 collecting blood samples from the sick and wounded of Wellington’s army, then go home to modern-day Seattle and Christmas with her family. But when her time machine breaks, stranding her in the past, she must decide whether to sacrifice herself to protect the timeline or to build a new life—and embrace a new love—two centuries before her time.
Rifle captain Miles Griffin has been fascinated by the tall, beautiful “Mrs. Sydney” from the day he met her caring for wounded soldiers. When he stumbles upon her time travel secret on Christmas Eve, he vows to do whatever it takes to seduce her into making her home in his present—by his side.

Amazon      BN     
About the Author:
Susanna Fraser wrote her first novel in fourth grade. It starred a family of talking horses who ruled a magical land. In high school she started, but never finished, a succession of tales of girls who were just like her, only with long, naturally curly and often unusually colored hair, who, perhaps because of the hair, had much greater success with boys than she ever did.
Along the way she read her hometown library’s entire collection of Regency romance, fell in love with the works of Jane Austen, and discovered in Patrick O’Brian’s and Bernard Cornwell’s novels another side of the opening decades of the 19th century. When she started to write again as an adult, she knew exactly where she wanted to set her books. Her writing has come a long way from her youthful efforts, but she still gives her heroines great hair.
Susanna grew up in rural Alabama. After high school she left home for the University of Pennsylvania and has been a city girl ever since. She worked in England for a year after college, using her days off to explore history from ancient stone circles to Jane Austen’s Bath.
Susanna lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and daughter. When not writing or reading, she goes to baseball games, sings alto in a local choir and watches cooking competition shows.
http://www.susannafraser.com/
http://authorsusannafraser.blogspot.com/
https://www.facebook.com/susanna.fraser
https://twitter.com/susannafraser
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4133822.Susanna_Fraser
http://www.pinterest.com/susannafraser/boards/

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 December 2 InterviewRoxanne’s Realmwww.roxannesrealm.blogspot.com
December 3 SpotlightAC Jameswww.acjames.com
December 3 Spotlight3 Partners in Shoping, Nana, Mommy, & Sissy, Too!   http://3partnersinshopping.blogspot.com
December 4 reviewNicky Peacock Authorhttp://nickypeacockauthor.wordpress.com/
December 5 SpotlightLisa's Book LairHttp://lisasbooklair.blogspot.com
December 6 SpotlightBooklover Sue http://bookloversue.blogspot.com/
December 6 reviewNerd Alert Book Lovenerdalertbooklove.blogspot.com
December 9 SpotlightParanormal Romance Fans for Lifewww.paranormalromancefanforlife.blogspot.com
December 10 InterviewManga Maniac Caféhttp://www.mangamaniaccafe.com/
December 11 InterviewPembroke Sinclair www.pembrokesinclair.blogspot.com
December 12 Guest blogSarah Ballance http://sarahballance.wordpress.com/
December 13 Guest blogFang-tastic Bookswww.fang-tasticbooks.blogspot.com
December 13 reviewTurning the Pageshttp://turningthepagesx.blogspot.com

Top Time Travel Destinations with Emma Kaye and a Giveaway

Thanks for having me here today, Roxanne.
I recently had to answer the question: If you could live back in time, what time period would you choose and why? Despite the fact that I write and love time travel stories, I found this a difficult question to answer. It was the live that threw me. I’m much too fond of my right to vote and hot showers to really want to live my life in another time. But visit? Now, that’s a different story. So, in no particular order, here are my top three time travel destinations. 
Regency England. I know this is a shocker given that Time for Love takes place during the Regency. Strictly speaking, the Regency lasted less than a decade—from 1811 to 1820—but I’d be willing to stop by a few years before or after. The desire to see this time period comes mostly from all the regency romances I’ve read over the years. There’s something so romantic and fun about all those balls and clandestine meetings. (And I’m curious to know how all those regency lords and ladies are able to find a secluded alcove in the midst of the social event of the season!)
The American Revolution. Being a US citizen, the American Revolution was, of course, a large part of my historical education. I found it interesting then, and still do so many (cough, cough—Not thatmany. Really.) years later. Now that my kids are in school they’re learning all about it. It’s fun listening to them tell me what they learn each day. It will be interesting to see what’s changed since I was in school. (I still can’t get over that Pluto isn’t really a planet. Please don’t tell me John Hancock used a fictitious name or something crazy like that, I might not survive it!)
It’s not just the history that interests me, either. I love going for hikes where you get away from the hustle and bustle of modern life and can almost forget the traffic jam you sat in to get there. I’d love to see what the country looked like before all the highways and utility poles. Diana Gabaldon is one of my favorite authors and her Outlander series makes me want to go live with the Frasers. (It’s been a while since I read the books, but I believe her daughter found a way to bring running water to the homes on their property, right?)
Medieval Times. Ever been to one of those Medieval Times restaurants where they joust as you eat a humungous turkey leg? I’m pretty sure it’s not the same, but I would still love to visit. Knights, ladies, castles...what’s not to love? One of my critique partners, Ruth A. Casie, writes in this time period and I have quite a large number of romances, from a variety of terrific authors, set back then. Of course, I would want to be a lovely lady of the manor whose brave knight actually respects and loves her—as is always the case in the romances I love.
Now that I’ve written my list down, I’m not sure if I actually want to time travel to a real place or simply move into some of my favorite books and movies! What about you? Is there a particular time period you would like to visit? And do you want to go to the real place, or into the pages of your favorite book?
Wishing you a wonderful holiday season! 


Time for Love
Emma Kaye
Genre: Time travel romance
Publisher:The Wild Rose Press
Date of Publication: December 2013
ISBN 978-1-62830-072-7ISBN 978-1-62830-073-4
Number of pages:  354Word Count: 92,194
Cover Artist: Debbie Taylor
Amazon    Wild Rose Publishing         Book Description: 
Alexandra Turner will do anything to save her twin sister. Even when she’s transported back in time to Regency England. Rescuing her sister and finding her way back to her own time will take all her concentration. Falling in love is not an option.
With the death of his brother, Nicholas Somerville became the ninth Marquess of Oakleigh and must return to England to take his place in society. Part of his responsibility will be to find a wife. It never occurs to him he might actually discover a woman he could love--until he meets Alex on his voyage home.

Can Alex and Nicholas find a way to bridge the gap of time and circumstance? Can they overcome their fears to realize that true love transcends time? Or will a dark secret from Alex's past rear up to separate them forever?
About the Author:        
Emma Kaye is married to her high school sweetheart and has two beautiful kids that she spends an insane amount of time driving around central New Jersey. Before ballet classes and soccer entered her life, she decided to try writing one of those romances she loved to read and discovered a new passion. She has been writing ever since. Add in a playful puppy and an extremely patient cat and she's living her own happily ever after while making her characters work hard to reach theirs
www.emma-kaye.com
www.Facebook.com/emmakayewrites
www.Twitter.com/emmakayewrites
www.Goodreads.com/emma-kaye
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December 2 Spotlight Musings of Mistress of the Dark Path http://mistressofthedarkpath.wordpress.com/
December 3 InterviewPembroke Sinclair. www.pembrokesinclair.blogspot.com
December 4 InterviewBBL Reviews www.bittenbylovereviews.com
December 5 InterviewFantasy Book Addicthttp://www.fantasybookaddict.com/
December 6 Spotlight3 Partners in Shopping, Nana, Mommy, & Sissy, Too!   http://3partnersinshopping.blogspot.com
December 9 Spotlight and reviewDeb Sandershttp://debsanders.com
December 10 InterviewParanormal Romance Fans for Lifewww.paranormalromancefanforlife.blogspot.com
December 11 Guest blogCloey's Book Reviews and Other Stuffcloeyk.blogspot.com
December 12 spotlightEclipse Reviewshttp://totaleclipsereviews.blogspot.com
December 13 Guest blogFang-tastic Bookswww.fang-tasticbooks.blogspot.com
December 13 SpotlightA Night's Dream of Bookshttp://anightsdreamofbooks.blogspot.com/
December 16 Guest blogBooks, Books The Magical Fruithttp://booksbooksthemagicalfruit.blogspot.com
December 16 SpotlightMila Ramoswww.jademystique.blogspot.com

Release Day Blitz Desprite Measures by Deborah Jay

Interviews
Books & Tales http://booksandtales.blogspot.co.uk/
Pembroke Sinclair.  www.pembrokesinclair.blogspot.com
Roxanne’s Realmwww.roxannesrealm.blogspot.com 

Guest posts 
Mythical Bookshttp://mythicalbooks.blogspot.ro/
Fang-tastic Bookswww.fang-tasticbooks.blogspot.com 

Spotlights
Lipstick Lesbian Reviewshttp://www.lipsticklesbianreviews.com/
Tanya's Book Nook, http://tanyasbooknook.blogspot.com
Lissette E. Manninghttp://www.simplistik.org/lissetteemanning
Laurie's Paranormal Thoughts and Reviewshttp://lauriethoughts-reviews.blogspot.com
Queen of the Night Reviews http://queenofthenightreviews.blogspot.com/
Literal Hotties Naughty Book Reviewshttp://literalhottiesnaughtybookreviews.blogspot.com/
Wicca Witch 4 Book Bloghttp://wiccawitch4.blogspot.ca/
Book Liaison – http://www.bookliaison.net
Share My Destinyhttp://sharemydestiny.blogspot.com
Book SuburbiaWww.booksuburbia.com
Darker Passions  http://darkerpassions.net
Extaordinaryreadshttp://extaordinaryreads.com/
Paranormal Romance Fans for Lifewww.paranormalromancefanforlife.blogspot.com



Desprite MeasuresThe Caledonian Sprite SeriesBook 1Deborah Jay
Genre:   Urban Fantasy
Word Count:    95,000
Cover Artist:   Alexandria N. Thompson  
Book Description:On the surface she's a cute and feisty blonde, a slender pocket rocket fitness coach. But Cassiopeia Lake has a secret; she's really a force of nature – an elemental.Water sprite, Cassie, has lived undisturbed in her native Scottish loch for eons. Now, one encounter too many with modern plumbing has driven her to live in human guise along with her selkie boyfriend, Euan. It’s all going fine - until a nerdy magician captures Cassie to be an unwilling component in his crazy dangerous experiment.
Escape is only Cassie’s first challenge.
She’s smitten by her fellow prisoner, the scorching hot fire elemental, Gloria. But how do you love someone you can never touch?
And what do you do when your boyfriend starts to hero-worship your persecutor? Not to mention that tricky situation of being the prize in a power contest between two rival covens of witches.
So when Gloria’s temper erupts and she sets out to murder the magician, can Cassie keep her loved ones safe from the cross-fire, or will she be sucked into the maelstrom of deadly desires and sink without trace?


About the Author:
Deborah Jay writes fast-paced fantasy adventures featuring quirky characters and multi-layered plots – just what she likes to read.
Living mostly on the UK South coast, she has already invested in her ultimate retirement plan – a farmhouse in the majestic, mystery-filled Scottish Highlands where she retreats to write when she can find time. Her taste for the good things in life is kept in check by the expense of keeping too many dressage horses, and her complete inability to cook.
Her debut novel, epic fantasy THE PRINCE’S MAN, first in a trilogy and winner of a UK Arts Board award, was published in July 2013, with THE PRINCE’S SON due out summer 2014.
Urban fantasy, DESPRITE MEASURES, is the opening novel of the five book CALEDONIAN SPRITE SERIES. 
She also has non-fiction equestrian titles published in her professional name of Debby Lush.
http://deborahjayauthor.com/
https://twitter.com/DeborahJay2
https://www.facebook.com/DeborahJay
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7172608.Deborah_Jay

Do Vampires Celebrate Christmas? Guest Blog and GIveaway with AC James

With the gift giving season just around the corner I was asked how Arie and Holly would be celebrating their holiday together. I had to admit that I didn’t have a clue. So I figured why not ask them ;)
A.C. JAMES: Arie, do you have anything special planned for Holly this Christmas?
ARIE: *Sips from Wine Glass* You could say we’ve been a bit busy.
Is that wine?
HOLLY: Arie keeps me tied up at times. *Eye Roll*
ARIE: Or cuffed, spanked while standing spread-eagle with her pu—
A.C. JAMES: Okay, so what have you been up to that’s been keeping you from spreading… holiday cheer?
HOLLY: Well it’s been difficult with a psychopath on the loose and all of our efforts have been focused on keeping the people of Chicago alive.
ARIE: And keeping the vampire race from being discovered by the general population.
A.C. JAMES: Oh, I see. Well I can certainly understand how hard it must be to make time for each other.
ARIE: It’s definitely hard. *Wink*
A.C. JAMES: Hmmmm… Wait, is he hitting on me?
HOLLY: But we’ve still managed to find time for each other. I still can’t figure out what to get him for Christmas. I can’t even figure out if it’s okay to add garlic to spaghetti sauce.
ARIE: Why would you even worry about that? I do most of the cooking. Or we could just eat out.
HOLLY: Of course, he’s right. I’m a terrible cook. Ramen, marshmallow fluff…these things I can handle. I might get him a turtle.
A.C. JAMES: Why would you get him a turtle?
HOLLY: I think Arie needs a low maintenance pet and a turtle would be perfect because they live so long.
ARIE: I could think of better low maintenance pets. *Nods toward a Rhinestone Collar on the Table Next to His Chair*
HOLLY: There’s another gift that I wouldn’t mind giving you.
A.C. JAMES: I have to say that I’m a little surprised that vampires even celebrate Christmas.
ARIE: Well there are some of my brethren that believe in the folklore, that we’re damned, but I’m not one of them.
A.C. JAMES: Holly, what do you believe?
HOLLY: I believe that Christmas is about being together, being with the ones you love.
A.C. JAMES: Well there you have it. A rhinestone collar, a turtle, and just being together is what Christmas is all about.




Eternal Ever After
Ever After Series Book 1A.C. James
Genre: Erotic Paranormal Romance
Publisher: Wandering Impulse Press
Date of Publication: 11/23/13
E-Book: 978-0-9911485-0-9Print: 978-0-9911485-1-6ASIN:
Number of pages: 307Word Count: 88K
Cover Artist: Ramona Lockwood
Book Trailer: http://youtu.be/VefnxkHGiXM
Book Description:
His past holds a secret…
Arie Cush has a secret that he thought he’d left behind. When his past follows him to Chicago he must protect someone that reminds him of all the painful memories he’s tried so hard to forget. But when every touch from her sets his heart and body on fire—he finds it hard to maintain his aloof façade.
That becomes her nightmare.
Holly Ellis has secrets of her own. An encounter with the handsome stranger who frequents her coffee shop reveals a vampire with baggage. Even though it might be more than she bargained for, she can’t resist the one person who understands her. But her life is in danger and a supernatural threat could reveal the underground world of vampires to humankind in this Gothic Cinderella re-telling.
Inside Scoop: This story contains bondage, anal play, a M/F primary romance with mild F/F situations.
Warning: This book is fictitious. The bdsm portrayed in this story does not portray the lifestyle. Vampires will be vampires. They don’t exactly stop to discuss a scene, pain thresholds, and there is no aftercare involved. Trust is an intrinsic part of the lifestyle. Use due diligence and research before deciding to make fiction into reality.

Heat Level: This book is a steamy romance. It’s the development of a romantic relationship that contains more explicit language and sex. The sex is not an inherent part of the story, character growth, or relationship development, and if removed you still have an amazing plot.

About the Author:
A.C. James—author of erotic paranormal romance and erotica featuring bdsm. Wife, mother, sushi lover, and storyteller extraordinaire. She resides in northeast Pennsylvania drinking large vats of coffee while taming two toddlers by day and writing by night. 
Web/Blog:   www.acjames.com
Newsletter:   http://eepurl.com/ApQ7z
Twitter:        https://twitter.com/ACJamesauthor
Facebook:    http://www.facebook.com/pages/AC-James/129228540578101
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/17238073-ac-james

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December 6 InterviewBBLR www.bittenbylovereviews.com 
December 7 SpotlightPembroke Sinclair.  pembrokesinclair.blogspot.com
December 9 SpotlightRoxanne’s Realmwww.roxannesrealm.blogspot.com
December 10 SpotlightThe Creatively Green Write at Home Momwww.creativelygreen.blogspot.com
December 11 author interviewEclipse Reviewshttp://totaleclipsereviews.blogspot.com
December 12 SpotlightLisa’s World of Bookswww.lisasworldofbooks.net
December 13 Guest blogFang-tastic Bookswww.fang-tasticbooks.blogspot.com
December 16 InterviewBewitching Book Tours Magazinewww.issuu.com/bewitchingbooktours 
December 17 InterviewWords Without Limitswww.fiercedolan.com
December 20 Guest blogCloey's Book Reviews and Other Stuffcloeyk.blogspot.com
December 23 InterviewMythical Bookshttp://mythicalbooks.blogspot.ro/
December 30 SpotlightMusings of Mistress of the Dark Path http://mistressofthedarkpath.wordpress.com/
December 30 SpotlightTattooed Book Reviewwww.tattooedbookreview.com
December 31 SpotlightLiteral Hotties Naughty Book Reviewshttp://literalhottiesnaughtybookreviews.blogspot.com/
January 1 SpotlightCover Reveals http://CoverReveals.blogspot.com
January 1 reviewBooklover Sue http://bookloversue.blogspot.com/
January 2 SpotlightBook Suburbia www.booksuburbia.com
January 2 SpotlightShare My Destinyhttp://sharemydestiny.blogspot.com
January 3 Guest blogThe Snarkology  www.melissasnark.blogspot.com
January 3 SpotlightBooks & Taleshttp://booksandtales.blogspot.co.uk/
January 6 InterviewAll I Want and More – http://alliwantandmorebooks.wordpress.com/
January 6 Spotlight and reviewRamblings of a Book Lunatichttp://booklunaticramblings.blogspot.com
January 6 ReviewProvocative Pages http://readingonthewildside.blogspot.com

Interview and Giveaway with D. Melhof

Can you tell readers a little bit about yourself and what inspired to write in this particular genre?

My name is D. Melhoff, and I’m a horror/thriller writer with a new novel called Come Little Children.

In terms of inspiration, I’m not really sure why I like horror... I don’t think I had any more nightmares than the average kid, and my suburban upbringing was pretty normal. Maybe it had something to do with the livestock slaughterings I used to witness at our family farm. Probably not, though.

Please tell us about your latest release.

I could, but I think it’s easier if people watch the video trailer:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nM0QAA607yo
Perfect. Wasn’t that faster and more enjoyable?
What inspired you to write this book?

Drugs. Sort of.

A few years ago I had jaw surgery, and I was flat on my back for almost three weeks solid. On one of those afternoons, I remember watching a TV special about the funeral business (or at least I thought I was watching a TV special, maybe it was a hallucination from all the painkillers) and it hit me that a morgue would make the perfect setting for a story I’d been kicking around for a while. Plus, I’ve always wanted to write about morticians, so morphine gave me the extra push I needed.


What is it about the paranormal, in particular vampires, that fascinates you so much?

Vampires are fun, but alas, they don’t make an appearance in this particular book. I will say this, though: What I respect about the vampire movement (can I call it that? A movement?) is that authors have demolished our preconceptions of what vampires should look and behave like.

In Come Little Children, there are situations that could definitely be considered “zombie-like”, however it was important to me that I never actually used the word ‘zombie’. It carries too many preconceived notions; instead, I wanted to give readers a different look at the undead, one that could be both heartwarming and blood chilling.
Did you find anything really interesting while researching this or another book?

Of course. I had to do a lot of research because, sadly, I don’t hang around morgues very often. You’d be amazed at how interesting that industry can be; for example, did you know that some funeral homes heat themselves with the energy that’s produced from their own crematoriums? Or that the weight of an adult’s ashes is around six to eight pounds—roughly the same weight they were when they were born?
Do any of your characters have similar characteristics of yourself in them and what are they?

I think Camilla’s imagination is a bit like mine. When most people are thinking about regular things, like work and school and TV, I’m wondering how long it takes dead bodies to float in the ocean.
Do you ever suffer from writer’s block?

Not often. Knock on wood.
Do you have any weird writing quirks or rituals?

The only quirk I can think of is when I’m having a particularly productive day, there will inevitably come a point when I NEED something salty. Crackers, chips—whatever. And before I know it, the whole bag will be gone.

Either it’s sheer luck that I don’t have a heart problem, or a sign that I’m not on a roll very often... not sure which is worse.


What can readers expect next from you?

Well, after this interview I’ll probably go for a nice long bath. Oh, writing-wise, you mean? Right. I’m working on a summer camp horror story next, so keep an eye out for that. If you’re interested, please sign up for the newsletteron my website. No spam, I promise.
Where can readers find you on the web?

Website: www.dmelhoff.com

Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/author/dmelhoff

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/dmelhoff

Facebook: www.facebook.com/dmelhoff

Twitter: https://twitter.com/dmelhoff







Come Little Children
D. Melhoff
Genre: Horror, thriller, supernatural thriller
Publisher: Bellwoods Publishing
Cover Artist: Carl Graves
Book Trailer: http://youtu.be/nM0QAA607yo
Book Description:
The Nolan morgue is more than just an ordinary funeral home.
When their newest employee uncovers a supernatural conspiracy connected to a string of child murders, she must use every shred of her intelligence to stop a new breed of serial killer and escape the morgue alive.

About the Author:
D. Melhoff was born in a prairie ghost town located an inch above the Canadian-American border. He credits King, Poe, Hitchcock, Harris, Raimi, and his second grade school teacher, Mrs. Lake, for turning him to horror.
www.dmelhoff.com
www.facebook.com/dmelhoff
@dmelhoff
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 November 18 InterviewBookwormBridgette's Worldhttp://bookwormbridgette.blogspot.com/
November 19 Guest blogCloey's Book Reviews and Other Stuffcloeyk.blogspot.com
November 19 SpotlightCover Reveals http://CoverReveals.blogspot.com
November 20 Guest blog F U Only Knew
http://fuonlyknew.com
November 21 InterviewPembroke Sinclair.  pembrokesinclair.blogspot.com
November 22 InterviewLaurie's Paranormal Thoughts and Reviewshttp://lauriethoughts-reviews.blogspot.com
November 25 InterviewBia's Wonderlandhttp://bianca-s-blog.blogspot.ro/
November 25 reviewThe Solitary Bookworm – thesolitarybookworm.com
November 26 Spotlight and rveiewDeb Sandershttp://debsanders.com
November 27 reviewWhat the Cat Read, http://whatthecatread.wordpress.com
November 28 SpotlightLis Les Livreswww.lisleslivres.blogspot.com
November 29 reviewPainted Wordswww.Tipsy-Ink.com/apps/blogwww.tipsyink.blogspot.com
December 2 Interview and reviewBooks Directhttp://booksdirectonline.blogspot.com.au/
December 3 Guest blogReading in Twilighthttp://readingintwilight.blogspot.com/
December 4 Spotlight Mila Ramoswww.jademystique.blogspot.com
December 5 reviewNicky Peacock Authorhttp://nickypeacockauthor.wordpress.com
December 6 SpotlightThe Writerly Exploits of Mara Valderranhttp://maravalderran.blogspot.com
December 9 SpotlightLisa’s World of Bookswww.lisasworldofbooks.net
December 10 Guest blogRoxanne’s Realmwww.roxannesrealm.blogspot.com
December 11 SpotlightThe Creatively Green Write at Home Momwww.creativelygreen.blogspot.com
December 13 InterviewFang-tastic Bookswww.fang-tasticbooks.blogpsot.com
December 16 InterviewBewitching Book Tours Magazinewww.issuu.com/bewitchingbooktours 

Changing with the Seasons Guest Blog with Charles O Keefe

“Changing with the Seasons”
So I thought about this post for a while, I figure it could mean several things. Obviously, the weather changes with the seasons (unless you live somewhere really warm and you don’t notice) Most people have changes in their lives, you could even say that like the seasons we have spring, summer, fall and winter as we age (I’d like to think I’m still in summer at 37). But I think the most interesting (and perhaps least depressing) thing I could write about here was how my writing has changed since I started seriously a few years ago and how Book one of my Newfoundland Vampire is different from Book two “Killer on the Road” (which I hope some of you reading this will purchase)
Book 1 “The Newfoundland Vampire” took me about 8 months to write and 2 years (including the 8 months) to get published. In Book 1 I wanted to firmly establish both my supporting characters and the mythos of my vampire world. I thought it was important to have an origin story for vampires right away and clearly explain how (most of) their powers worked. I also wanted to make it kind of a tribute to my family, friends, pets and co-workers. It’s worth nothing here that the main character, Joseph, is about 90% me (younger and obviously different as a vampire). I know it sounds cliché to base a main character on yourself but it just seemed like the most natural thing for me to do. This leads me to my biggest issue with Book one.
As the edits began to progress (and there were a lot, 16 in total) I realized a big mistake I had made. I had turned a lot of Book one into a type of pseudo-journal and as my editor Pat (who is fantastic by the way) correctly pointed out, you can’t just put in your own experiences. Most people lead boring lives, when you just write about it the only person who really enjoys it is yourself, it makes the writing dull. Hope wasn’t lost though, I managed to keep most of those experiences in other ways. I learned the trick is to take your own life and improve on it, make it exciting and interesting, weave in into the story. I think the fact that part of one chapter features Joseph playing Risk and another D&D certainly proves the point that it can be done. Writing with a main character who is highly similar to yourself you get to live vicariously through him, he makes the choices you didn’t/won’t/can’t. He or she can do the kind of things you wished you could (or dread to in your nightmares as well).
Most importantly, it taught me that you can’t take criticism about your writing personally, the writing was personal to me but not anyone else. It’s a valuable lesson as any writer will eventually get a scathing review, it will seem personal but it’s not. You can’t please everyone and I think sadly sometimes people attack you in a review because they just were in a bad mood when they vote it, you’re an easy target for them to vent on. I learned more things but I think that’s enough on Book 1, moving on to “”Killer on the Road”, otherwise known as The Newfoundland Vampire Book 2.
In Book 2 I had the experience weaving (and dialog, which was a big issue in Book one) mostly under control. The big writing changes I had to make for this Book was not being so obsessed with sex and making Cassandra (the main female character) more believable and interesting. Let’s admit it, most guys are obsessed with sex. I don’t know the science behind it but I think it’s in our DNA (scientists feel free to chime in here) Book 2 had a lot of sex in it, too much I discovered as my editor ran through it. As she told me, “you’re not writing Penthouse letters.” She was right, my Books while containing sex are not erotica.  I had made Cassandra into a male fantasy, she really wasn’t a character at all. So I fixed it, there’s still sex (and some steamy stuff I think) but it’s mutual and Cassandra has wants and needs like anyone else. Speaking of Cassandra the other major change was giving her more to do in Book 2. Not to give anything away but she decides to make the world a better place and is none too gentle about it. This is where the importance of a female perspective (or male if you’re a female writer) comes in. Pat was instrumental in helping me write new scenes for Cassandra and getting into her head (and yes I’m married but still don’t know a lot about women).  As you may have guessed the other major change from Book 1 is less focus on my own past experiences and friends. This time I took the opportunity to have Joseph and Cassandra explore the world more. I’ve been fortunate to have travelled a lot in my life and it was great fun to have my characters go to places I’ve been and a few others I’d love to visit one day.
Life is about change, I think you have to be prepared for that and writing is no different. I’ll leave you with a quote from a song I love by Robbie Robertson (music will always be a part of my vampire Books)
There's gonna be a change of season Indian Summer look around And it's gone Why you wanna save the best for last We grow up so slowly And grow old so fast We don't talk about forever We just catch it while we can And if I grab on To the moment Don't let it slip away Out of my hand

               
The Newfoundland VampireBook II: Killer on the RoadCharles O’Keefe
Genre: Horror / Paranormal / Romance / Vampire
Publisher: Penumbra PublishingDate of Publication: August 31, 2013
ISBN-10: 1938758293ISBN-13: 978-1938758294ASIN: B00EWTYM3G
Number of pages: 193Word Count: 74,020
Cover Artist: Nils Dannemann
Amazon   Amazon Kindle
Amazon UK    BN
Book Description:
Joseph O’Reily is still adjusting to the lifestyle and the dangers that come with being a new vampire. He and Cassandra recently fought to the death with Cassandra’s estranged husband John Snow, and now Joseph has experienced his first ménage a trios, as only a vampire can. As if all of this was not complicated enough, he and Cassandra have been tasked with hunting down and killing a rogue vampire, Donald Rathmore.
Another of John Snow’s creations, Donald is an evil misogynistic killer in his own right. Donald has no interest in avenging his creator’s death, but killing Cassandra is at the top of his list.
While Donald continues his murderous spree, Joseph and Cassandra always seem to be one step behind him. The chase is further complicated as they encounter other vampires and learn more about the mysterious nature of the Vampire Council and the coming war between good and evil.
Joseph is only now beginning to trust Cassandra, and this trust will be shaken when he discovers she has even more secrets than he imagined. Her idea of justice and morality is at complete odds with his own. Despite all his powers and growing skill, Joseph is tested physically as a vampire and emotionally by Cassandra. This time the answers and challenges may be too much for the young vampire to handle.

About the Author:

Charles O’Keefe lives in the beautiful province of Newfoundland, Canada, with his wife and two feline ‘children,’ Jude and Esther.
He works in IT support and enjoys many hobbies and activities that include writing, reading, watching fantasy/science-fiction movies and television shows, gaming, poker, walking, Pilates, and of course fantasizing about vampires.
To find out more about Charles, go to Twitter and Facebook or visit his web site. http://www.charlesokeefe.com/
Blog: http://p45crok.wordpress.com  
Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/TheNLVampire  
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=826155483  
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6151429.Charles_O_Keefe
Amazon author page

December 2 SpotlightEclipse Reviewshttp://totaleclipsereviews.blogspot.com
December 4 Guest blogLaurie's Paranormal Thoughts and Reviewshttp://lauriethoughts-reviews.blogspot.com
December 11 SpotlightAuthor Karen Swarthttp://authorkarenswart.blogspot.com/
December 13 Guest blogFang-tastic Bookswww.fang-tasticbooks.blogspot.com
December 16 Spotlight and reviewFang Freakin' Tastic Reviews http://fangfreakintasticreviews.com
December 30 SpotlightShare My Destinyhttp://sharemydestiny.blogspot.com

Spotlight on Vampires: Romance to Rippers an Anthology of Tasty Stories

More Than FriendsAn excerpt, of the short storyTerri Reid
Chapter Two
Grabbing her keys from her pocket, she hurried through the parking lot to her car. She could access her social networking page from home and study the photos without worrying about her Captain looking over her shoulder and reminding her it was just a prank. Her shoes slapped softly against the pavement of the parking lot as she moved forward. With her shadow flitting from car to car, a brisk autumn wind stirred up a pile of dried leaves and pushed them forward to swirl around her feet. The noise was just loud enough that she didn’t hear the soft whisper of wings fluttering behind her. Pressing the auto unlock button, she stepped forward to grab hold of the door handle when the hairs on the back of her neck rose and she knew someone was behind her. Her hand secreted on the handle of her service revolver, she whirled, ready to fight. “Whoa there,” the man said, stepping back into the shadows protectively. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to startle you.”She glanced around quickly and then met his eyes. “Where did you come from?” she asked.“Originally or recently?” he asked, the touch of irony in his deep voice annoying her.“Recently,” she growled. He moved toward her into the glow of a streetlight and she nearly gasped aloud. As it was, her body reacted with a primitive awakening that surprised and even frightened her. He bit back a smile. He could hear the blood throbbing quickly through her veins, could feel the rise in her body temperature and could smell the sweet pheromones her body was producing to lure him even closer. She was partially aroused by him, but fighting it. And he was charmed by her efforts.“I was a few cars down,” he said, pointing to a car parked near hers. “I dropped my keys and I was bending over, so I could understand how you might have missed me when you walked to your car. I just came over to make sure you were safe.”Safe. She had never felt so unsafe in her life. “I’m fine,” she said, relieved that the words came out clipped and firm.“Excellent,” he replied, with a full smile. “And now, perhaps we could find a quiet place where I could answer your other question.”Eyes narrowed, she shook her head. “Other question?”He stepped even closer and she held her ground. He was not going to intimidate her. Reaching forward, he ran a finger down the side of her face and she shivered involuntarily and swallowed slowly. “Where I came from,” he whispered, his breath hot on her cheek, “Originally.”She took a deep, shuddering breath and stepped back, away from him. “Listen,” she replied, her voice uneven. “I don’t know who you are or what you think you’re doing. But I am not a hooker, I’m a police officer. I’m a detective. So unless you want to spend a little time in a cooling cell, I would suggest you step away and take your advances elsewhere.”His lips lifted in a half smile, but he didn’t move back. “I know you’re not a hooker, Detective Victory,” he said, meeting her eyes. “And the only proposition I have for you right now is an offer to help you track down the person who is killing those women who have requested to be your friend.”“What the…” Her hand went to her gun, but he stepped even closer and laid his hand over hers, blocking her attempt. Her back was pressed against the side of her car and her hand was caught between her body and his. And the heat coursing through her veins was making her feel lightheaded.“I’m not here to harm you,” he whispered, keeping an eye out for other police officers who might be coming off shift. “I can help. I think I know why you haven’t been able to find the bodies.”Shaking her head, she tried to move out of his grasp. “No, I don’t need your help,” she stammered softly. “Now let me go before I scream and you have to deal with an entire precinct of police officers.”Bending his head, he drew his mouth along the underside of her jaw line and a bolt of heat impaled her core, turning her legs to rubber. She collapsed against the side of her car and he pressed his body fully against hers. “Did you drug me?” she murmured, trying to fight the sexual haze that was overwhelming her. “I feel…”He slid his hands up the sides of her body, slowly, caressing every curve, the power of passion clouding his own judgment. “You feel delightful,” he breathed, his mouth hovering just inches over hers. “You feel exactly the way I’ve dreamt you’d feel.”“Dreamt?” she cried softly, her voice shaking with an undertone of fear.He looked into her eyes, saw the tears pooling in them, and cursed himself. He could take her; his thrall had broken down all of her natural defenses. But even under the strength of his spell, her unconscious mind had fought back, causing tears to flow in protest. He fought with himself. He could have her; he had desired her for so long. But, a calmer voice reasoned, would he really be satisfied with taking her this way or did he want the whole woman?He finally shook his head, clearing the passion and stepped away from her, leaving her trembling and confused. “I don’t…” she stammered. “Shhhh, it’s okay, JJ,” he crooned.



Vampires: Romance to Rippers an Anthology of Tasty Stories

Scarlette D’Noire, Karen Dales, Kurt Kamm, Bertena Varney,Elita Daniels, Carole Gill, Audrey A’Cladh, BellaDonna Drakul, Sherri Jordan-Asble, Charles E. Butler, Carole Gill, Fiona Skye, Laura Enright, Janiera Eldridge, Cinsearae S, and Terri Reid
Genre: paranormal romance/horror
Publisher: Indie Publishing House
Date of Publication: Oct. 16th 2013
ISBN: 978-1-940871-00-4
Number of pages: 236Word Count: 67,588
Cover Artist: Patti Roberts at Paradox
Amazon
Book Description:
Vampires! Sixteen authors give you a glimpse into the dark worlds of lost love, murderous rage, and undeniable sex appeal where deadly quests and blood lust spanning centuries of time reign supreme. Explore some of the most unique vampires to exist on this side of the grave.
Essays, excerpts, and short stories from award winning authors Karen Dales, Kurt Kamm, Bertena Varney and more. They will entertain you, thrill you, and bewilder you as they reveal the dark secrets of the most beloved creatures of the night, including eleven times bestselling author Terri Reid, creator of the Mary O’Reilly Series.

So, which will it be: the romantic vampire, the revenant vampire, the elemental, the fanged vampire, or the mythological female vampire?  Begin reading and find out!
About the Author:
Originally from Chicago Scarlette D’Noire is an American author currently residing in Florida with her husband and two furry children.
A lover of all things vampire, Scarlette has published two books, Vampires Romance to Rippers Series an Anthology of Tasty Stories, and Vampires Romance to Rippers Series an Anthology of Risqué Stories with several outstanding authors.  She is currently writing two books in the Vampire Historia a Series of Revelations, collections: Nicolai's Fate and Delano’s Undoing. Scarlette D’Noire is a nom de plume used to protect the true identity of the author so she may bring Vampire Historia a Series of Revelations to light without consequences.

About the Author:

Sherri Jordan-Asble resides in Florida with her family, and when not writing, Kayaking is her favorite past time.  Sherri is finishing her Master's degree in creative writing at Southern New Hampshire University, and is working on her sequel to her first novel, Summer Blood.


About the Author:
Best-selling author, Terri Reid, is the creator of the Mary O’Reilly Paranormal Mysteries.  An indie author, Reid published her first book “Loose Ends – A Mary O’Reilly Paranormal Mystery” in August 2010.  By the end of 2012, “Loose Ends” had sold over 150,000 copies. She has ten other books in the Mary O’Reilly Series and has enjoyed Best-Seller, Top Rated and Hot New Release status for all of them in the Mystery, Paranormal Romance, Horror, Cozy, or Women Sleuths categories. Her books have been translated into Spanish and Portuguese and are also now also available in audio versions.  Reid has been quoted in a number of books about the self-publishing industry including “Let’s Get Digital” by David Gaughran and “Interviews with Indie Authors: Top Tips from Successful Self-Published Authors” by Claire and Tim Ridgway. She was honored to have some of her works included in A. J. Abbiati’s book “The NORTAV Method for Writers – The Secrets to Constructing Prose Like the Pros.” Reid is from Northwest Illinois, near the town of Freeport, the home of her fictional characters.  Her background is in marketing and public relations.  She is married, the mother of seven children and the grandmother of fourteen. Her constant writing companions are Riley, a Bernese Mountain Dog-Golden Retriever mix; Hans, a German Shepard mix; Brodie, a Bernese Mountain Dog puppy; and McDuff, a Siamese cat. 
Visit  the contributing authors on the web:

Scarlette D'Noire   Terri Reid   Charles E. Butler   Karen Dales    Elita Daniels
Carole Gill   Fiona Skye   Kurt Kamm   Bertena Varney   Cinsearae S.
Sherri Jordan-Asble   Janiera Eldridge   BellaDonna Drakul    J.B.Stilwell
Laura Enright    Audrey A'Cladh


December 9 SpotlightBooker Like a Hookerhttp://bookerlikeahooker.blogspot.com/
December 10 Spotlight and reviewPenny For Them...http://pennyforthemuk.com/search/label/tour
December 11 SpotlightRoxanne’s Realmwww.roxannesrealm.blogspot.com
December 12 Spotlight  (review)Fang Freakin' Tastic Reviewshttp://fangfreakintasticreviews.com
December 13 SpotlightFang-tastic Bookswww.fang-tasticbooks.blogspot.com
December 16 SpotlightBooks Directhttp://booksdirectonline.blogspot.com.au/
December 17 SpotlightShut Up & Read http://shutupandreadgroup.blogspot.com/
December 18 reviewMythical Bookshttp://mythicalbooks.blogspot.ro/
December 19 SpotlightLisa’s World of Bookswww.lisasworldofbooks.net
December 20 SpotlightPembroke Sinclair.  www.pembrokesinclair.blogspot.com
December 20 reviewTanya's Book Nookhttp://tanyasbooknook.blogspot.com
December 23 spotlightBook BlissHttp://lbookbliss.com

Barbara Bretton's Favorite Christmas Movies and a Kindle Paperwhite Giveaway

 Our Christmas Movie Festival starts off on Thanksgiving morning with Miracle on 34th Streetand ends on New Year’s Eve with When Harry Mets Sally. Some of the selections might seem a little quirky, but here is my must-watch list for 2013.
1.  Miracle on 34th Street  -- what can you say about a movie that combines sweet sentimentality, wry cynicism, childhood innocence and wonder, and a romance in one great package. I’ve loved this movie for as long as I can remember (Maureen O’Hara!) and I have the feeling I always will.
2.  Holiday Inn – Don’t tell anyone but I cheat. I’ve been known to watch Holiday Inn in March and July and every other month in the year too. Fred Astaire! Bing Crosby! Marjorie Reynolds! And Virginia Dale whose wonderful knee-length dance dresses would look just as good today as they did in 1942.
3.  White Christmas – I know it’s basically a remake of Holiday Inn, with Danny Kaye in the Bing Crosby role, and all of those great Irving Berlin songs, but it gets me every time. Yes, it’s over-the-top and loosely plotted but the people are pretty, the music is great, the dancing is wonderful, and I want to live in that Vermont lodge with the big fireplace and wooden beams. Besides, aren’t Christmas movies supposed to make you cry?
4.  Desk Set – Tracy and Hepburn at their best. And the supporting cast of Gig Young, the glorious Joan Blondell and Dina Merrill doesn’t hurt either. Smart, sophisticated comedy with a heart of melted chocolate, it’s a wonderful trip back to the Fifties.
5.  The Bishop’s Wife --
6.  A Christmas Carol  -- The TV version with George C. Scott. Scrooge’s redemption brings me to tears every single time.
7.  It’s a Wonderful Life – First time I saw this, I hated it. This was way back in 1971, long before the movie had morphed into a holiday classic. I thought it was the most horribly depressing movie I’d ever seen. Poor George Bailey! He should’ve packed his valise and run fast and far before that terrible town ate him alive. But times change and people do, too, and slowly I fell under the spell of Bedford Falls and George and Clarence. I still kind of wish George had managed to see the world, but Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without this film.
8.  Love Actually – I can get through most of the movie with just a few sniffles here and there, but by the time we reach the airport montage at the end, I am flat-out ugly crying, big huge sobs that I just can’t stop. I’ve always had a soft spot for the Beach Boys’  God Only Knows, but pair it up with all of those people being reunited with the ones they love – sorry. I need a Kleenex. (A box of ‘em.)
9.  Christmas in Connecticut – The original (let’s not discuss the Schwarzenegger version) with Barbara Stanwyck, Dennis Morgan, C. Z. Szakall. One of the best rom coms ever.
10.  Mr. Magoo’s A Christmas Carol – What can I say? Pass the razzleberry dressing …
11.  Bell, Book and Candle – Sexy witches, mischievous warlocks, harried editors and that wonderful scene atop the Flatiron Building. What more do you need?
12.  When Harry Met Sally – The New Year’s Eve scene at the end is the perfect ending for a romantic comedy.
So what’s on your must-watch holiday list?




The Year the Cat Saved Christmas
Barbara Bretton
Genre: Contemporary romance
Publisher: Free Spirit Press
ISBN: 9781940665009ASIN: B00FEXP44K
Number of pages: 80Word Count: 22,000
Amazon    Smashwords   BN   iTunes  Kobo
Book Description:

Christmas used to be the happiest time of the year in the big house on the hill. But this year when the clock strikes midnight on Christmas Day, it will all be over. Can Sebastian, a wily Maine Coon cat, find a way to bring his people back home or will this holiday be their last?

Previously published as "Home for the Holidays" in Penguin Berkley's anthology "The Christmas Cat."
Mrs. Scrooge
Rocky Hill Romances  Book OneBarbara Bretton
Genre: Contemporary romance
Publisher: Free Spirit Press
ISBN: 9781940665023ASIN: B00FEXXSCA
Number of pages: 240Word Count: approx. 65000
Amazon   Smashwords   BN   Kobo  iTunes
Book Description:
Single mother Samantha Dean doesn't have time for Christmas. Or romance, for that matter. She is weeks away from opening her own catering business, the most important part of her plan to provide her certified genius daughter Patty with all the wonderful things she deserves.

Except Patty doesn't want to go to a fancy boarding school. She wants a father and when she meets bartender Murphy O'Rourke at her fourth grade Career Day presentation, she knows she's met the man of her mother's dreams!

But can she convince her Mrs. Scrooge of a mom that it was time to give Christmas -- and love -- a second chance?
Originally published in print by Harlequin American
Book #2 is also available now: BUNDLE OF JOY





About the Author:
Barbara Bretton is the USA Today bestselling, award-winning author of more than 40 books. She currently has over ten million copies in print around the world. Her works have been translated into twelve languages in over twenty countries.
Barbara has been featured in articles in The New York Times, USA Today, Wall Street Journal, Romantic Times, Cleveland Plain Dealer, Herald News, Home News, Somerset Gazette,among others, and has been interviewed by Independent Network News Television, appeared on the Susan Stamberg Show on NPR, and been featured in an interview with Charles Osgood of WCBS, among others.
Her awards include both Reviewer's Choice and Career Achievement Awards from Romantic Times; Gold and Silver certificates from Affaire de Coeur; the RWA Region 1 Golden Leaf; and several sales awards from Bookrak. Ms. Bretton was included in a recent edition of Contemporary Authors.
Barbara loves to spend as much time as possible in Maine with her husband, walking the rocky beaches and dreaming up plots for upcoming books.
www.barbarabretton.com
www.barbarabretton.net
www.facebook.com/barbarabretton
www.facebook.com/authorbarbarabretton
www.twitter.com/barbarabretton
www.goodreads.com/barbarabretton

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November 25 Spotlight3 Partners in Shopping, Nana, Mommy, & Sissy ! http://3partnersinshopping.blogspot.com
November 26 SpotlightAC Jameswww.acjames.com
December 3 Guest blogBooks Directhttp://booksdirectonline.blogspot.com.au/
December 5 SpotlightLisa’s World of Bookswww.lisasworldofbooks.net
December 6 Guest blog and reviewMochas, Mysteries and Morewww.mochasmysteriesandmore.blogspot.com
December 9 SpotlightThe Creatively Green Write at Home Momwww.creativelygreen.blogspot.com
December 10 Guest blogFang-tastic Bookswww.fang-tasticbooks.blogspot.com
December 11 Guest blogRoxanne’s Realmwww.roxannesrealm.blogspot.com
December 12 SpotlightPembroke Sinclair  pembrokesinclair.blogspot.com
December 13 Character InterviewLaurie's Thoughts and Reviewshttp://lauries-interviews.blogspot.com
December 16 ReviewMelissa's Eclectic Bookshelfhttp://melissaseclecticbookshelf.com/
December 17 reviewBrooke Blogshttp://www.brookeblogs.com
December 18 Guest blog and reviewMy Tangled Skeins Book Reviewshttp://mytangledskeinsbookreviews.blogspot.com
December 19 SpotlightCover Reveals http://CoverReveals.blogspot.com
December 20 Review (TYTCSC)Sapphyria's Book Reviewshttp://saphsbookblog.blogspot.com/
December 23 SpotlightBooklover Sue http://bookloversue.blogspot.com/
December 23 Review (MS)Sapphyria's Book Reviewshttp://saphsbookblog.blogspot.com/

Release Day Blitz Galilee Rising by Jennifer Harlow

InterviewAly's Miscellany http://alysmiscellany.wordpress.com
ReviewA_TiffyFit's Reading Cornerhttp://tiffyfit.blogspot.com
SpotlightUrban Fantasy Investigationshttp://urbanfantasyinvestigations.blogspot.com/
Interview and reviewWords of Wisdom from The Scarf Princesshttp://wowfromthescarfprincess.blogspot.com
SpotlightNight Owl Reviewshttp://www.nightowlreviews.com/v5/Blog/Articles/Release-Day-Galilee-Rising-by-Jennifer-Harlow
ReviewMy Tangled Skeins Book Reviewshttp://mytangledskeinsbookreviews.blogspot.com
SpotlightNyxx's Nookhttp://nyxxsnook.blogspot.com/
spotlight and review Queen of All She Reads.http://queenofallshereads.blogspot.com/
SpotlightCW Book Reviewshttp://www.houseofmalfunction.com
Spotlight and review( 1 and 2)Larissa and Friends' Bookish Life – www.larissaslife.com
SpotlightSapphyria's Book Reviewssaphsbookblog.blogspot.com
SpotlightShare My Destinyhttp://sharemydestiny.blogspot.com
SpotlightAnnette Gisbyhttp://agisby.blogspot.co.uk/
SpotlightBook Liaison – http://www.bookliaison.net
SpotlightPembroke Sinclair.  pembrokesinclair.blogspot.com
SpotlightMythical Bookshttp://mythicalbooks.blogspot.ro/





Galilee RisingThe Galilee Falls TrilogyBook Two
Jennifer Harlow
Genre: Urban Fantasy Romance
Publisher: Devil on the Left Books
Date of Publication:  12/10/13
ISBN: 978-0-9893944-2-0 (ebook)ISBN: 978-0-9893944-3-7 (print)
Number of pages: 282Word Count: 102,000
Cover Artist: Damonza
Book Description:
Love in the time of superheroes...
“Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.” -Confucius 
 The year since Galilee Falls lost its reigning superhero Justice has not been kind to Joanna Fallon. She's lost her best friend, her boyfriend, her badge, even her mind. The city of Galilee Falls hasn't fared much better with supervillain related crime skyrocketing to cataclysmic proportions.
Deliverance for the city arrives in the guise of The Royal Triumvirate--King Tempest, Lady Liberty, and Lord Nightingale--who vow to be the heroes the city needs. Salvation for Joanna appears in the brilliant form of Dr. Jem Ambrose, another lost soul in need of saving. But salvation comes with a high price.
When Emperor Cain, an old nemesis of The Triumvirate, decides he will stop at nothing to make sure there is no city left to defend, it is up to Joanna to rise not only for her city, for her new love, but for herself as well…
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About the Author:
Jennifer Harlow spent her restless childhood fighting with her three brothers and scaring the heck out of herself with horror movies and books. She grew up to earn a degree at the University of Virginia which she put to use as a radio DJ, crisis hotline volunteer, bookseller, lab assistant, wedding coordinator, and government investigator.
Currently she calls Northern Virginia home but that restless itch is ever present. In her free time, she continues to scare the beejepers out of herself watching scary movies and opening her credit card bills. She is the author of the Amazon best-selling F.R.E.A.K.S. Squad, Midnight Magic Mystery series and Justice, the first in the superhero thriller trilogy. For the soundtrack to her books and other goodies visit her at www.jenniferharlowbooks.com
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