Maria Hammarblad's Blog, page 49
December 25, 2012
Yuletide and recipe for Glögg
Regardless of what you celebrate, I hope everyone has a fantastic holiday. Today, I'd like to share a Swedish tradition. The country is far up north, actually on the same latitude as Greenland. This means parts of the country have pretty long, dark, and cold winters.
To heat us up during December, we like to make a special kind of mulled wine. It's especially good with gingerbread cookies. You can actually buy Swedish gingerbread cookies in many grocery stores around the country - they're called "Anna's"
Anyway, IKEA carries non alcoholic Swedish mulled wine - Glögg - during December, but you can just as well make your own. I think it's super good. My husband is less impressed, but he doesn't like wine in the first place, LOL.
Recipe for Glögg
1 bottle of good red wine (the better wine you use, the better Glögg you'll get.)15 cloves
3 cinnamon sticks
1 teaspoon ground cardemom
3 ml ginger (1/4 American tablespoon is 1.2 ml, so a little more than two of those measurements)
1 teaspoon orange extract
2 dl sugar
Mix all of it in a pan and heat up slowly. You don't quite want to bring it to boiling, but heat it until it's properly hot. Strain the spices out and enjoy the hot beverage. You can re-bottle it and save in the fridge for a few days, it can be heated in the microwave, but wine is wine and doesn't last forever once it's opened.
We usually serve Glögg with raisins and almonds (you put them in the hot wine).
December 24, 2012
Please vote for me? =)
I completely forgot I entered the cover for Kidnapped in a contest. Needless to say, contestants with better memory -- or being less distractable, lol -- have an advantage. Stakes are high: glory and bragging rights.
To be fair, most of the glory would belong to my amazing cover artist Gwen Phifer, but I would sure brag if given the chance. I think the cover is awesome.
It is number 20, it's really easy to vote, and voting is open until December 26.
http://yougottaread.com/vote-now-for-the-december-2012-cover-contest/
Thank you!
=D
To be fair, most of the glory would belong to my amazing cover artist Gwen Phifer, but I would sure brag if given the chance. I think the cover is awesome.
It is number 20, it's really easy to vote, and voting is open until December 26.
http://yougottaread.com/vote-now-for-the-december-2012-cover-contest/
Thank you!
=D
Merry Christmas and recipe for yummie coconut cake.
Back home we celebrate Christmas Eve (and we still call it Yule, but with a Swedish spelling, LOL). So... Merry Christmas and God Jul!Yesterday, I talked about my best Swedish chocolate cake. Today, I'm pulling out another Yule recipe. Coconut cake. It's sooo good, and really easy to make.
Everything I said yesterday about measurements, the baking pan, and parchment paper still stands.
Cake:
2 eggs
2 dl sugar
3 dl flour (I use self rising flour)
2 teaspoons baking powder
1.5 dl cold water
Stir eggs and sugar, add baking powder, flour, and water. Bake at 325-350 (175 C) depending on your oven. I test the cake with a toothpick - if it comes out dry, the cake is done.Frosting:
2 tablespoons melted butter
1 egg
1 dl sugar
1.5 dl coconut flakes
1 teaspoon vanilla extract (less if you're using the super concentrated stuff)
Stir the ingredients together, and spread over the cake while it's still warm. If it cools too much, it's really difficult to put the frosting on. The cake freezes well. =)
American coconut flakes are a bit different from the Swedish ones, so your cake will look a little different from the image. That's okay - both taste about the same. =)
December 23, 2012
Love-munchies... Mmmm, chocolate! Christmas recipe.
I'm pretty good at baking, if I may say so myself. Unfortunately, I'm not interested in it. I usually bake like crazy for the holidays each year, and do nothing the other eleven months... This year, I planned to skip baking even for Christmas. I'm kind of engulfed in a story, and who wants to break for baking when the hero is about to die unless the heroine saves him? I figured no one would notice.
Yesterday, my husband hinted, "I don't see much baking going on. We have to make those cool plates with your cookies and stuff for my friends. You know, like we do every year."
I forgot all about that. Once I started, I'm happy he reminded me. I made Kärleksmums - if there's a Swedish thing corresponding to brownies, this would be it. I don't have a good translation for the name. It means something along the lines of love-snacks, love-yummies, love-munchies, you get the idea... In Sweden, you can buy them in most cafes, stores, even gas stations, but they're super easy to make on your own.
All my recipes are in metric measurements, and I won't even start trying to figure out the corresponding cups and stuff. Some American measuring cups have both cups and deciliters though. I have two sets - one metric and one US.
Important: A Swedish tablespoon/teaspoon/cup is not the same size as an American tablespoon/teaspoon/cup. When I bake from my Swedish recipes, I usually take an actual teaspoon or tablespoon to measure with. Unless we're talking about salt, it's not an exact science. :-)
This recipe is sized for a baking pan with high edges approximately 13x9 inches. Again, it's not an exact science, I grab what I have in the house. I put parchment paper in it. It makes it easier to get the cake out of the pan. :-)
Here goes (dl=deciliter):
Cake:
2 eggs
3 dl sugar
1.5 dl milk
150 g melted butter
3 dl flour (I use self rising flour)
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 tablespoon cocoa poweder
1 tablespoon vanilla extract (less if you use the super concentrated kind)
Stir eggs and sugar. Mix in the milk and vanilla extract. Blend the dry ingredients on the side to make sure they're mixed evenly, and add to the mixture. Add butter.
Bake at 325-350 (175 C), depending on your oven. I test the cake with a wood toothpick - if the toothpick comes out dry, it's done.
Frosting:
3 dl powdered sugar
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1 tablespoon cocoa powder
5 tablespoons coffee
4 tablespoons melted butter
Coconut flakes. (These are way different in the US compared to Sweden, but still good. Ours are drier, so the cake will look a little different with the fresh coconut flakes.)
Stir all the ingredients except the coconut flakes together. You might need an extra dash of powdered sugar, depending on the size of your tablespoons ;-)
The cake should cool some - if it's too hot when you put the frosting on, it'll be too gooey, but if it's too cold, it can be hard to spread the frosting.
Put frosting on, and sprinkle coconut flakes for decoration. Eat and enjoy! The cake freezes well, just don't microwave it - heat makes the frosting melt, LOL.
Yesterday, my husband hinted, "I don't see much baking going on. We have to make those cool plates with your cookies and stuff for my friends. You know, like we do every year."
I forgot all about that. Once I started, I'm happy he reminded me. I made Kärleksmums - if there's a Swedish thing corresponding to brownies, this would be it. I don't have a good translation for the name. It means something along the lines of love-snacks, love-yummies, love-munchies, you get the idea... In Sweden, you can buy them in most cafes, stores, even gas stations, but they're super easy to make on your own.All my recipes are in metric measurements, and I won't even start trying to figure out the corresponding cups and stuff. Some American measuring cups have both cups and deciliters though. I have two sets - one metric and one US.
Important: A Swedish tablespoon/teaspoon/cup is not the same size as an American tablespoon/teaspoon/cup. When I bake from my Swedish recipes, I usually take an actual teaspoon or tablespoon to measure with. Unless we're talking about salt, it's not an exact science. :-)
This recipe is sized for a baking pan with high edges approximately 13x9 inches. Again, it's not an exact science, I grab what I have in the house. I put parchment paper in it. It makes it easier to get the cake out of the pan. :-)
Here goes (dl=deciliter):
Cake:
2 eggs
3 dl sugar
1.5 dl milk
150 g melted butter
3 dl flour (I use self rising flour)
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 tablespoon cocoa poweder
1 tablespoon vanilla extract (less if you use the super concentrated kind)
Stir eggs and sugar. Mix in the milk and vanilla extract. Blend the dry ingredients on the side to make sure they're mixed evenly, and add to the mixture. Add butter.
Bake at 325-350 (175 C), depending on your oven. I test the cake with a wood toothpick - if the toothpick comes out dry, it's done.
Frosting:
3 dl powdered sugar
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1 tablespoon cocoa powder
5 tablespoons coffee
4 tablespoons melted butter
Coconut flakes. (These are way different in the US compared to Sweden, but still good. Ours are drier, so the cake will look a little different with the fresh coconut flakes.)
Stir all the ingredients except the coconut flakes together. You might need an extra dash of powdered sugar, depending on the size of your tablespoons ;-)The cake should cool some - if it's too hot when you put the frosting on, it'll be too gooey, but if it's too cold, it can be hard to spread the frosting.
Put frosting on, and sprinkle coconut flakes for decoration. Eat and enjoy! The cake freezes well, just don't microwave it - heat makes the frosting melt, LOL.
December 20, 2012
Free read by Maria Hammarblad - Courage and Retribution
Aaaand, one more free read for Christmas. Namely, my prequel to Kidnapped. :-) William Reynolds agrees to hide a family of refugees, fleeing from the oppressive and all knowing Alliance. He's not worried; he's finally standing up for a good cause, and what's the worst thing that could happen?
Courage and Retribution, by Maria Hammarblad
Science fiction romance
On the outskirts of the ever present Alliance's watchful eye, William Reynolds has served as mayor and preacher for the better part of a decade. Life is good, and he sees no reason to change anything.
When a family fleeing the Alliance's oppression comes his way he doesn't hesitate to hide them. Reaching out to the people in need proves to be more dangerous than he could ever have anticipated, and once events are set in motion, there is no going back.
To download this book, please follow this link.
William lived in a world of uneasy dreams. His people were screaming, dying, being burned alive, and he needed to pull free from whatever held him so he could rescue them, but invisible forces kept him back. The dreams faded into merciful darkness.
When he finally returned to reality, he had problems focusing his eyes. The ceiling looked a lot like a beautiful woman, and she rotated above him. He squeezed his eyes shut again, but had time to see a mass of blonde hair and a cute nose.
The fragments of memories and dreams came together. He was a prisoner of the Alliance, and his people, everyone he knew were dead. It was his fault. He didn't understand how, he had been so careful, but he still led the enemy right home. He wanted to return to the darkness, hopefully forever, but the woman wouldn't let him. She held a cool hand against his forehead.
"I think he has a concussion."
A cynical male voice answered, "It happens."
William opened his eyes again and struggled to sit up, even though the room revolved around him.
Everything bathed in a light so bright it shot bolts of pain through his skull, but when he squinted and shaded his eyes with his hand, he could make out four bare metal walls and a metal ceiling. The cell didn't even have a visible door. "Where am I? Who are you?"
The man stepped closer and crouched next to him. "You're a guest here at Casa del Travis. If we're lucky, he'll forget about us, or kill us before we reach Central."
The woman said, "You should probably lie down. You're still bleeding. I'm Isabela, and he's Aaren. I think there are more people in other cells. I can hear them through the walls."
Aaren chuckled. "Of course there're more prisoners here. This is a prisoner ship, and it's what they do. So, what'd you do that's so bad they let you live?"
Courage and Retribution, by Maria Hammarblad
Science fiction romance
On the outskirts of the ever present Alliance's watchful eye, William Reynolds has served as mayor and preacher for the better part of a decade. Life is good, and he sees no reason to change anything.
When a family fleeing the Alliance's oppression comes his way he doesn't hesitate to hide them. Reaching out to the people in need proves to be more dangerous than he could ever have anticipated, and once events are set in motion, there is no going back.
To download this book, please follow this link.
William lived in a world of uneasy dreams. His people were screaming, dying, being burned alive, and he needed to pull free from whatever held him so he could rescue them, but invisible forces kept him back. The dreams faded into merciful darkness.
When he finally returned to reality, he had problems focusing his eyes. The ceiling looked a lot like a beautiful woman, and she rotated above him. He squeezed his eyes shut again, but had time to see a mass of blonde hair and a cute nose.
The fragments of memories and dreams came together. He was a prisoner of the Alliance, and his people, everyone he knew were dead. It was his fault. He didn't understand how, he had been so careful, but he still led the enemy right home. He wanted to return to the darkness, hopefully forever, but the woman wouldn't let him. She held a cool hand against his forehead.
"I think he has a concussion."
A cynical male voice answered, "It happens."
William opened his eyes again and struggled to sit up, even though the room revolved around him.
Everything bathed in a light so bright it shot bolts of pain through his skull, but when he squinted and shaded his eyes with his hand, he could make out four bare metal walls and a metal ceiling. The cell didn't even have a visible door. "Where am I? Who are you?"
The man stepped closer and crouched next to him. "You're a guest here at Casa del Travis. If we're lucky, he'll forget about us, or kill us before we reach Central."
The woman said, "You should probably lie down. You're still bleeding. I'm Isabela, and he's Aaren. I think there are more people in other cells. I can hear them through the walls."
Aaren chuckled. "Of course there're more prisoners here. This is a prisoner ship, and it's what they do. So, what'd you do that's so bad they let you live?"
December 19, 2012
Angels and Gargoyles
Sometimes I think book titles don't matter all that much, but this one sure did. I followed Monte R. Anderson on Twitter, and he sent me a message about his free read. I usually don't have the energy to check things like this out, but the title got me. I mean, Angels and Gargoyles, that's two of my favorite things. I had to look!
I laughed out loud on the first page. The story is funny, heartwarming, sweet, and short enough to read on a lunch break. I like the format - I like being able to finish something.
Why it's funny? Let me quote this one little gem of dialogue... Two characters are in the office of St Peter, holding a fairly serious discussion, and he says, “It was your idea, in fact, to have a canal digging contest on Mars. Great idea except you forgot to fill them in. You cannot believe all the problems that caused since. People actually believed there was life on Mars.”
It's taken out of context here, of course, but in the book, I found it hilarious!
Blurb:
Angels and Gargoyles is a novelette about a romance among heavenly hosts; a beauty and the beast love story. It tells how two of God's workers, for unexplainable reasons, fall in love, much to the chagrin of St. Peter.
Download the book here!
The images on this page have nothing to do with the book - I borrowed them from http://magickalgraphics.com/gargoyles2.htm. Click on this text to see many more gorgeous gargoyle images!
I laughed out loud on the first page. The story is funny, heartwarming, sweet, and short enough to read on a lunch break. I like the format - I like being able to finish something.Why it's funny? Let me quote this one little gem of dialogue... Two characters are in the office of St Peter, holding a fairly serious discussion, and he says, “It was your idea, in fact, to have a canal digging contest on Mars. Great idea except you forgot to fill them in. You cannot believe all the problems that caused since. People actually believed there was life on Mars.”
It's taken out of context here, of course, but in the book, I found it hilarious!
Blurb: Angels and Gargoyles is a novelette about a romance among heavenly hosts; a beauty and the beast love story. It tells how two of God's workers, for unexplainable reasons, fall in love, much to the chagrin of St. Peter.
Download the book here!
The images on this page have nothing to do with the book - I borrowed them from http://magickalgraphics.com/gargoyles2.htm. Click on this text to see many more gorgeous gargoyle images!
December 18, 2012
High Gravity - scifi romance and black holes!
My series of scifi romance novellas - Embarkment 2577 - finally continues. The re-write of High Gravity, second in the series, is done! Many thanks to sweet Christy Elkins for helping me beta-read. :-)
I originally hoped to have all three novellas done before the holidays, it would be nice to finish the year with wrapping this up, but the last one, Adam and Eve, will probably have to wait until January. (I suspect the Embarkment novellas will never truly be done; my muse has been popping up her head claiming we should write a prequel taking place on Earth. Time permitting, that might be a 2013 project!)
In the first book, Brand New World, Alexandra wakes up with amnesia in the year 2577. She's in a spaceship, and adapting to the new time and environment is not easy. In High Gravity, she's assaulted by more adventures and more new technology. I'm fascinated by black holes, and they play a prominent role in this story.
High Gravity can be read stand alone, but the books are probably better in order. If you haven't read Brand New World, there's a chance to win a signed paperback on the Embarkment 2577 website!
If you're interesting in reading and reviewing the books, comment on this post or send me a message. I'd be delighted to send over a pdf or epub file!
Here's an excerpt from High Gravity. Alex has just escaped becoming a science experiment.
“Joshen Martinez is an old friend of mine, a mentor, he wouldn’t hurt you. He just wants to connect you to a machine that will tap out your memories. Your knowledge is valuable, and everyone would be able to see what you know. Sort of... like watching a movie.”
Having people watch all my memories? Intrusion of privacy, much?
I got to my feet. “I’ve heard enough of this. I have other things to do.”
Kevin stood up too. “Yes you do. Go pack your bags. This joke is over and you’re coming with me to the Kentucky.”
I took a step towards the door. “In your dreams.”
Blake said, “Sit down. Both of you.”
He didn’t raise his voice, but it was impossible not to obey. Kevin opened his mouth and my Captain made a dismissive gesture. “You’ve already said too much. Sit down and be quiet.”
Watching the scientist sink down, carefully keeping his mouth shut, filled me with glee. Blake pressed a button on his desk. “Commander Adam, could you come to my office for a minute, please.”
My husband’s voice filled the room. “Right away, Sir.”
I didn’t realize how tense I was until he stood in the doorway and I dared relax. He glanced between me and Kevin and crossed his arms over his chest. Adam was tall, strong, intimidating, and mine.
“What’s going on?”
Once again, Kevin opened his mouth. Blake snapped, “Silence.”
Kevin leaned back in his chair and rolled his eyes.
“Adam, this is Kevin. He has come to retrieve your wife.”
“Not happening, Sir.”
I wanted to squirm. “Can I move now?”
Blake smirked. “Yes Alex, you may move.”
I bounced to my feet and threw my arms around Adam. He hugged me back and murmured, “Don’t worry.”
After kissing me tenderly, he put his hands on my shoulders and turned me around so I faced Kevin. Then, he wrapped his arms around me from behind. “This is my wife. She means more to me than my life. She definitely means more to me than your life. If I were you, I’d choose my next words wisely.”
I glanced up at him. “I love you too.”
He smiled and brushed his lips over my temple.
Blake leaned his elbows on the desk and tapped his fingers together. “Mr Nolan, have we satisfied your curiosity, or do you wish to continue the discussion with the commander? I’m sure he’d be more than happy to demonstrate his... abilities. Would you like to see him fold a spare piece of hull plating a couple of times?”
“We’re good.”
I originally hoped to have all three novellas done before the holidays, it would be nice to finish the year with wrapping this up, but the last one, Adam and Eve, will probably have to wait until January. (I suspect the Embarkment novellas will never truly be done; my muse has been popping up her head claiming we should write a prequel taking place on Earth. Time permitting, that might be a 2013 project!)
In the first book, Brand New World, Alexandra wakes up with amnesia in the year 2577. She's in a spaceship, and adapting to the new time and environment is not easy. In High Gravity, she's assaulted by more adventures and more new technology. I'm fascinated by black holes, and they play a prominent role in this story.High Gravity can be read stand alone, but the books are probably better in order. If you haven't read Brand New World, there's a chance to win a signed paperback on the Embarkment 2577 website!
If you're interesting in reading and reviewing the books, comment on this post or send me a message. I'd be delighted to send over a pdf or epub file!
Here's an excerpt from High Gravity. Alex has just escaped becoming a science experiment.
“Joshen Martinez is an old friend of mine, a mentor, he wouldn’t hurt you. He just wants to connect you to a machine that will tap out your memories. Your knowledge is valuable, and everyone would be able to see what you know. Sort of... like watching a movie.”
Having people watch all my memories? Intrusion of privacy, much?
I got to my feet. “I’ve heard enough of this. I have other things to do.”
Kevin stood up too. “Yes you do. Go pack your bags. This joke is over and you’re coming with me to the Kentucky.”
I took a step towards the door. “In your dreams.”
Blake said, “Sit down. Both of you.”
He didn’t raise his voice, but it was impossible not to obey. Kevin opened his mouth and my Captain made a dismissive gesture. “You’ve already said too much. Sit down and be quiet.”
Watching the scientist sink down, carefully keeping his mouth shut, filled me with glee. Blake pressed a button on his desk. “Commander Adam, could you come to my office for a minute, please.”
My husband’s voice filled the room. “Right away, Sir.”
I didn’t realize how tense I was until he stood in the doorway and I dared relax. He glanced between me and Kevin and crossed his arms over his chest. Adam was tall, strong, intimidating, and mine.
“What’s going on?”
Once again, Kevin opened his mouth. Blake snapped, “Silence.”
Kevin leaned back in his chair and rolled his eyes.
“Adam, this is Kevin. He has come to retrieve your wife.”
“Not happening, Sir.”
I wanted to squirm. “Can I move now?”
Blake smirked. “Yes Alex, you may move.”
I bounced to my feet and threw my arms around Adam. He hugged me back and murmured, “Don’t worry.”
After kissing me tenderly, he put his hands on my shoulders and turned me around so I faced Kevin. Then, he wrapped his arms around me from behind. “This is my wife. She means more to me than my life. She definitely means more to me than your life. If I were you, I’d choose my next words wisely.”
I glanced up at him. “I love you too.”
He smiled and brushed his lips over my temple.
Blake leaned his elbows on the desk and tapped his fingers together. “Mr Nolan, have we satisfied your curiosity, or do you wish to continue the discussion with the commander? I’m sure he’d be more than happy to demonstrate his... abilities. Would you like to see him fold a spare piece of hull plating a couple of times?”
“We’re good.”
December 17, 2012
Radio interview for Kidnapped today (Dec 17) =D
Today, Dec 17, I'm on the Authors' Radio show talking about my sci fi romance novel Kidnapped. We talk about the book, writing, characters, and much more. Check it out here: http://www.wnbnetworkwest.com/WnbAuth...
It's only on today, so don't miss the chance. =D
It's only on today, so don't miss the chance. =D
Free Read by Michelle Sutton
Another Desert Breeze Publishing Free Read, just in time for Christmas!
Uncovering the Secret, by Michelle Sutton
Inspirational
Bojan and Laney are newly married and about to embark on their honeymoon. They will be traveling to his homeland in eastern Europe to meet his family. Only Bojan has other plans in mind once they get there. He's out to find his sister's ex-boyfriend who nearly killed her and left her for dead a year ago. He wants to make sure his sister will be safe and will not have to look over her shoulder for the rest of her life. But he hadn't thought things completely through and takes a risk by keeping his plans from his wife. The one thing he hadn't considered, though, was God's knowledge of the secrets in his heart.
To download this book, please follow this link.
My review:
I'm really not qualified to review this book. I mean, there are many different kinds of stories that mean different things to different people, and Uncovering the Secret isn't something I would normally read. (For the simple reason that I'm Wiccan, LOL.) That, of course, won't stop me from babbling about the book anyway, so here goes...
Uncovering the Secret is Christian fiction. It is cute, short, and sweet. Bojan - the main character - is a likeable man, who early in the book promises himself to be the best he can be for his wife. He still tries to keep a secret from her, but it doesn't work out for him. The novella enforces Christian ideals and the thought of God interfering directly with people's lives when they're heading down the wrong path. I know there's a large number of Christian readers out there, and for them, I think this story would be fantastic.
Uncovering the Secret, by Michelle Sutton
InspirationalBojan and Laney are newly married and about to embark on their honeymoon. They will be traveling to his homeland in eastern Europe to meet his family. Only Bojan has other plans in mind once they get there. He's out to find his sister's ex-boyfriend who nearly killed her and left her for dead a year ago. He wants to make sure his sister will be safe and will not have to look over her shoulder for the rest of her life. But he hadn't thought things completely through and takes a risk by keeping his plans from his wife. The one thing he hadn't considered, though, was God's knowledge of the secrets in his heart.
To download this book, please follow this link.
My review:
I'm really not qualified to review this book. I mean, there are many different kinds of stories that mean different things to different people, and Uncovering the Secret isn't something I would normally read. (For the simple reason that I'm Wiccan, LOL.) That, of course, won't stop me from babbling about the book anyway, so here goes...
Uncovering the Secret is Christian fiction. It is cute, short, and sweet. Bojan - the main character - is a likeable man, who early in the book promises himself to be the best he can be for his wife. He still tries to keep a secret from her, but it doesn't work out for him. The novella enforces Christian ideals and the thought of God interfering directly with people's lives when they're heading down the wrong path. I know there's a large number of Christian readers out there, and for them, I think this story would be fantastic.
December 15, 2012
Free Read by Jackie Leigh Allen
Another Desert Breeze Publishing Free Read, just in time for Christmas!
Bah! Humbug, by Jackie Leigh Allen
Contemporary
Could Santa Claus be the man who's been right under your nose all year?
Heather Fisher Black's third man of the year has just exited right when she needs a date for Christmas dinner. The whole gang from Win's War will be there and everyone will have a partner, even Win's grandfather.
To download this book, please follow this link.
My review:
I haven't read Win's War - yet - and the blurb had me a bit confused. I still liked the title Bah! Humbug and the premise, so I plunged in. This is a very enjoyable read that had me chuckling at times. Like, when the heroine forgets the name of "Jerk number three" - even though she used to hope he would propose.
The book is easy to get into, and the characters are likeable and seem real. It's a perfect story to curl up with in a cozy corner, shutting the world out for a while. I've read a number of novellas in a short period of time, and this one sticks with me, popping into my mind from time to time. :-)
Bah! Humbug, by Jackie Leigh Allen
ContemporaryCould Santa Claus be the man who's been right under your nose all year?
Heather Fisher Black's third man of the year has just exited right when she needs a date for Christmas dinner. The whole gang from Win's War will be there and everyone will have a partner, even Win's grandfather.
To download this book, please follow this link.
My review:
I haven't read Win's War - yet - and the blurb had me a bit confused. I still liked the title Bah! Humbug and the premise, so I plunged in. This is a very enjoyable read that had me chuckling at times. Like, when the heroine forgets the name of "Jerk number three" - even though she used to hope he would propose.
The book is easy to get into, and the characters are likeable and seem real. It's a perfect story to curl up with in a cozy corner, shutting the world out for a while. I've read a number of novellas in a short period of time, and this one sticks with me, popping into my mind from time to time. :-)
