Sandra Jones's Blog, page 7

The Celtic Myth of the White Stag

To enter to win a free e-copy of my time travel romance, MOONLIGHT MADNESS, or one of my backlist, add a comment on my Happy Endings Giveaway post.









The White Stag




I'm researching for my next medieval romance set in Wales, and I ran across a myth I'd forgotten. I used to be obsessed with Robin Hood, the TV show on PBS, and one of the things I liked best about it was the ethereal deity, Herne the Hunter, who offered sage advice to Robin. Herne was always depicted as a man with antlers, shrouded in mist. 




The Welsh and other Celts worshipped another deity in antlers, known as Cernunnos. His image is seen on Celtic artifacts, and he was the god of nature or fertility. One myth associated with Cernunnos is the white stag, which is said to be his animal form. In real life, these stags occur very rarely and are usually prized by hunters. 




The Celtic Welsh believed seeing a white stag symbolized the transgressing of a taboo. I'm definitely hoping my hero or heroine sees a white stag in the near future! 




Read more about MOONLIGHT MADNESS or my other books set in Wales at my website. 

Sandra Jones's Happy Endings Giveaway

I believe in happy endings!!!!!!!! 

 #HEGIVEAWAY





Welcome to Legendary Romance's stop for Reading Romance's HAPPY ENDINGS Giveaway Hop!



I only read romance with a happy ending. For that reason, I'm giving away a free e-copy of my new release 

MOONLIGHT MADNESS, or the winner's choice of any of my backlist (print included) 

(I guarantee there's a happy ending ;-))











What exactly is a happy ending? Comment below with your idea of a happy ending to win! Then visit one of the next stops of the HAPPY ENDINGS Giveaway Hop! Enjoy and good luck!

The Next Big Thing Blog Hop

My fellow Five Golden Rings anthology author,
Karen Erickson, tagged me to participate in The Next Big Thing blog hop
and answer a few questions about the book I'm currently working on. So let's
get to it!







What is your working title of your book?




The working title was the name that stuck: Moonlight Madness.




Amazon Kindle



Where did the idea come from for the book?




I’d published a time travel (WISH FOR THE MOON), and that story had
an enchanted Druid portal. I just couldn’t resist the idea that other couples
from other time periods might fall through the same opening between the past
and the present!




There are also two teenagers, and being a school librarian, I'm surrounded by teen angst 24/7! The two kids in the story provide plenty of conflict for the hero and heroine!




What genre does your book fall under?




My publisher categorizes it as historical
romance, but purists need to know the couple spends a large amount of time in
present-day Wales.




Which actors would you choose to play your
characters in a movie rendition?




I have a hard time with this, because the hero
was a conglomeration of several of my Hollywood crushes. To single out one
actor, I’d say he’s probably a lot like Chris Hemsworth. Think big, fair, and
ripped. But he also has a lot of Taylor Kitsch in his flirty, self-assured
personality.




For the heroine’s actress, she’s an intelligent brunette.




What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?




Only one
woman can unlock the enchanted portal of time before it's too late--his
soulmate.




Will your book be self-published or published by
an agency?




It will be published by The Wild Rose Press.




How long did it take you to write the first draft
of your manuscript?




(Hangs head in shame) I started this right after
the first book, back in 2008! I had it 2/3 finished, hit a dry spell and put it
away for a while to work on some other romance genres. When I picked it back up
earlier this year, it practically finished writing itself. Easy breezy.




What other books would you compare this story to
within your genre?




This is so hard, because I have so many influences. Maybe books by Anne Stuart or Lynn Kurland.




Who or what inspired you to write this book?




I love the Renaissance era. The hero is a
swashbuckling, Shakespeare-quoting rake. Honestly, I kept comparing him to Errol Flynn!




Also The Princess Bride. Yes, there’s a little
Wesley in my hero!




What else about your book might pique the
reader's interest?




Rance comes from a time when women were often treated
as chattel. However, after traveling through time and meeting the heroine—whom
he must rely on—Rance discovers the
strength of the fairer sex. It’s fun to watch his struggles and Tess’s ability
to put him in his place! But it’s also a poignant story with both characters
torn between their responsibility to the people they care about and their
growing love for each other.




I've tagged a paranormal romance author to blog
next week (12/26). Charlene Wilson
is my blog-sister at Ravencraft Romance Realm and she’s one of the sweetest
authors you’ll ever meet. That’s my new catch phrase for her, by the way! LOL. Stop by and show her some love!

Win One of FIVE Copies of FIVE GOLDEN RINGS!! A Giveaway from Sophie Barnes!

Bestselling author Sophie Barnes is giving away FIVE copies of FIVE GOLDEN RINGS: A CHRISTMAS COLLECTION! Historical romance lovers and anyone who adores the holidays, this is your chance to win the ebook, which includes HER CHRISTMAS KNIGHT, a Medieval romance by me, for free. Enter to win below on the Rafflecopter.














a Rafflecopter giveaway

A Quick and Easy Christmas Recipe & the Fall in Love Contest Winner

Congrats to Jennifer Mathis, winner of an e-book copy of MOONLIGHT MADNESS here on my blog!!! And congrats to all the Fall in Love blog hop contest winners!



Thanks to everyone who visited and entered. I'll have more giveaways this month on the tour for my new novella, HER CHRISTMAS KNIGHT, included in FIVE GOLDEN RINGS: A CHRISTMAS COLLECTION, available for download December 11 from Avon Impulse. Visit my website here for  stops on the FIVE GOLDEN RINGS tour! New stops are added each week, so be sure to check frequently to see where I'm going to be.



It's Christmas, my favorite time of the year to cook. Christmas parties and potlucks are everywhere, but if you're busy like me, you need quick and easy treats to make. Here's a super recipe I learned from my son's fiancee:





Cake Balls



Ingredients: a cake baked from a mix, ready-to-use frosting, 3 packs of almond bark (chocolate or vanilla)



Bake your cake according to the box recipe. I prefer chocolate, but any flavor works great. Let the cake cool.  In a large mixing bowl, combine the cake and frosting until they're completely mixed (I use my hands because it's easier--but messy!). Form the mixture into small balls and place on wax paper on a cookie sheet. Freeze overnight. Melt the almond bark in a saucepan over low heat. Dip the frozen cake balls into the almond bark one at a time, completely coating them. Return the balls to wax paper to cool. This makes a full batch of yummy truffle-like treats!



Enjoy!



Strawberry Cake Balls

frozen and ready to be dipped

Woo Hoo Wednesday! Last Chance to Enter the FALL IN LOVE GIVEAWAY HOP

It's WOO HOO Wednesday!!



Only two days left to visit the stops on Reading Romance's FALL IN LOVE ALL OVER AGAIN Giveaway Hop






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Including two free ebooks available on the tour from me:







        

Amazon       Barnes and Noble


FIVE GOLDEN RINGS: A Christmas Collection--With historical romance stories, including HER CHRISTMAS KNIGHT--a medieval romance novella, by yours truly! And a chance for...

Amazon

MOONLIGHT MADNESS--a full length Renaissance/Time Travel romance! Visit Reading Romances for more info!







Hop Around and find more prizes!

1. HOST: Reading Romances (INT)  30. Regina Ross (INT)  
2. Malia Mallory (INT)  31. L.S. Murphy  
3. Milly Taiden (INT)  32. Books Books and More Books  
4. Natasha Blackthorne ~ Erotic Historical Rom (INT)  33. Kat Halstead (US)  
5. Karyn Gerrard Erotic Romance Author (INT)  34. Salacious Reads  
6. Imagine a World (US)  35. FANGS, WANDS & FAIRY DUST (INT)  
7. Reginamayross (INT)  36. Jen Minkman - YAParanormal Romance author  
8. Reading Reality (US)  37. Vanessa @ The Jeep Diva (US & INT)  
9. Kindlehooked (US)  38. Ju Ephraime (INT)  
10. Harlequin Historical Authors (INT)  39. VampandStuff (INT)  
11. Ren's Little Corner (INT)  40. Victoria Vane  
12. SnifferWalk (Int)  41. Love is a Many Flavored Thing (INT)  
13. Amelia James (INT)  42. Tribute Books Reviews & Giveaways (INT)  
14. Kat~Forever Book Lover  43. The Angel Chronicles by Amy Lignor (INT)  
15. Book Liaison (INT)  44. Suzzana C Ryan  
16. Hannah Fielding Romance Novelist (INT)  45. Linda Hays-Gibbs  
17. Jenna Jaxon (INT)  46. Jennifer Lynne - Erotic Romance (INT)  
18. Diva Jefferson - Historical Romance Author (INT)  47. Susan Frances  
19. Read for your future  48. Jessica Scott  
20. Patch of Sky (INT)  49. Reality Bites! Let's Get Lost  
21. JL Oiler  50. Sharing Links and Wisdom (US and INT)  
22. ❤ Coffee, Books & Lipgloss ❤ (INT)  51. Tattooed Book Review (INT)  
23. Jordan K. Rose (US)  52. Katheryn Lane  
24. Tmonique Stephens~ Paranormal Romance (US)  53. Sedona Venez (US)  
25. Regan Black (INT)  54. Kristen James  
26. Minding Spot (US)  55. Zoe Dawson  
27. Shawntelle Madison (INT)  56. Jennifer Conner  
28. Ann Cory (US/CAN)  57. Vanessa Johnston  
29. Sandra Jones ~Legendary Romance (US)  

Six Sentence Sunday--Midnight Cravings

Below is a Six Sentence snippet from my naughty werewolf novella, MIDNIGHT CRAVINGS, currently selling for 35% off at The Wild Rose Press during their Black Friday Sale this weekend!




While you're here, don't forget to comment on Reading Romance's Fall Giveaway Hop for a chance to win swag, including a free ebook from me!










About the snippet: After a painful break-up, all Audrey wants is a night with a hot Greek lover to help her forget. But she doesn't know Stephon, a lycan, can only mate for life...








"So you’re holding out for someone special or…or for something in particular?” 




He lay beside her and drew her hand to his heart. “I am waiting for one woman. A woman who will take me as I am and want no other.” His eyes searched hers. “Because I will want no other after her.” 




“Lucky girl.” 








Blurb: Audrey has a job most people only dream about,
visiting exotic destinations. But her new assignment, writing a review of a
remote villa in Greece, exposes more than she’d bargained for—the handsome
locals are really murderous werewolves, and worse, her steamy Greek lover is a
lycanthrope with Midnight Cravings.




Commitment-phobic Audrey wants nothing more than to prove
her worth as a journalist in rustic Arcadia. Then she meets Stephon, a charming
local, and wonders if she’ll be able to put the past behind her and learn how
to say “yes”…to everything.

But looks, money, and sex appeal mask an ancient evil.
Beneath the quaint facade of the village, a curse as old as time keeps Stephon
from giving his body—or his heart—to anyone but his true mate. Because when the
moon is full, the cravings begin.

Fall Giveaway Blog Hop

Welcome to one of the Fall in Love All Over Again Giveaway Hop stops, part of a MASSIVE giveaway!


I love historical and time travel romances. In honor of the blog hop theme "Fall in Love All Over Again," I'm offering a free ebook to one commenter.



 Comment below to enter to win a copy of YOUR choice--Moonlight Madness on Kindle or any of my other backstock titles on ebook. 





















Moonlight
Madness-- a time-travel/Renaissance romance

While visiting Wales, Rance Kingsley, Viscount Waldenham,
receives a warning that his daughter will soon be kidnapped by Spanish enemies.
Before he can aid her, Rance tumbles into a mysterious portal to the future.
His only hope is to find his soulmate, the key to returning. However his curse
continues when all signs point to Tess Hartman, a straight-laced teacher, as
his match. After a cheating boyfriend, the only male Tess wants in her life is
Dante, a troubled teen she would like to adopt. To bond with the boy, Tess
brings him on a class field trip to Britain. But the Shakespeare experience
becomes too real when sexy, eccentric Rance seduces her. When Tess falls for Rance's
kisses and travels with him across four centuries, she's convinced he's made a
mistake. How could she love a man who deceived her, separating her from
everything she cares about, a man with MOONLIGHT MADNESS?


Here is an excerpt from Moonlight Madness:














“Thou art madder than I. Or mayhap more brave. The
lightning.” Rance pointed to the roiling sky above.

He held his open doublet over their heads,
blocking out some of the rain at his back.

The sight of him, so thoughtful, damp and sexy,
set off seismic tremors in her stomach. An earthy masculine scent, his scent, drifted down from the
doublet, and its warmth wrapped around her.

“Danté came back inside,” he told her. “Mayhap the
rain will be gone soon. Probably by the time we reach the castle if we leave
now.”

She couldn’t possibly spend another moment with
this much temptation. Already, her fingers curled at her sides, craving to
reach out and touch his rippling body, so plainly visible beneath the damp
shirt.

She took a deep bracing breath. “Kiss me.”

“What?” Rance’s expression froze.

“I said kiss me. Now before I change my mind.” She
tucked her dripping hair behind her ears and stared up at him in challenge.
“You said if I kissed you you’d leave me alone. So kiss me, and then you can go
on your way. I’m calling off the trip to Chepstow Castle. I’m soaked and the
rain’s not letting up. You can call a taxi to come get you, and you could be
back at the theater before the next performance.”

“I did say as much, but art thou sure? Is that
what you want, what you truly want?”
His gaze dropped to her mouth before floating back up to her eyes. A slight
frown formed between his brows.

“Yes. Let’s be done. If all you’re after is a
kiss, then do it already—”

His lips stopped hers, cutting off her words and
stealing her breath. Holding his jacket aloft prevented him from touching her
with his hands—but not with his body.


--Moonlight Madness



After you've made your comment, visit one of the other many stops on the hop! Have fun and good luck! Thanks for stopping by!










The Fall In Love Giveaway hop was organized by Reading Romances!

What you can win here:

Number of winners:

Open to (INT, US or US/CAN):

How to enter:

Hop and find more prizes!

Why Historical Romance?

Today I'm at Margaret Ethridge's blog for Monday Mayhem where I answer the question, "Why Historical Romance?"

(There may be a giveaway involved!)

http://margaretethridge.com

Six Sentence Sunday

From MOONLIGHT MADNESS, a Six Sentence Sunday snippet:


Was it her? Could it be? Mayhap a kiss would bring the final sign he needed….

Rance drew her near, aware that her restrained hand had balled into a fist of resistance, but too far gone, his patience could not be reclaimed. He bent toward her, his hair falling to frame her face and his. Lips hovering above hers, he explained softly, “I must find my mate.”

Moonlight Madness:
A Circle of Destiny book
Available now on Kindle

http://sandrajonesromance.com