Vicki Batman's Blog, page 70

December 19: Celebrating Romance Books this Holiday Season, the Mistletoe Hop #MFRWorg #RLFblog

Welcome to the Mistletoe Hop! Are inundated with the holidays right now? I'm gearing up for Wrap-a-thon and then, am pretty much done. My secret is--don't tell--I shop all year round. I love traveling to new places and finding things I wouldn't find at home.
This year, Merry Holly, Cara Marsi, Gerri Brousseau, Bobbi Lerman and I collaborated on a holiday boxed set, The Season of Magic. So to tickle your fancy, I thought I'd share a bit from the first kiss from my romantic comedy, "Holiday Disaster":
His head tilted up to the heavens above. Water drenched his hair and cascaded over his face. A drowned rat would have looked better. He said, "This is not good for my cold."I tried hard not to laugh. "As they say when it rains, it pours."He wiped his face clean with a downward swipe. "Very funny."

"When you aren't substituting for your brother, what do you do?"

"I'm an IRS lawyer."

Which explained the "dealing with idiots" and liars and the business clothing.

“Why were you always saying women?”

His head tilted to the right. “Oh. I heard it in a movie and applied it to you.”

“Not so endearing.”

“No. Sorry.” A long pause passed. "I'm thinking of investing in a raincoat and maybe a few more suits if I'm going to keep seeing you," he commented. "Now will you let me in before I get pneumonia?"

His keep seeing me phrase made me grin. I grasped his hands and pulled him inside. He tossed the box toward the sofa and wrapped his arms around my body, pressing a kiss to my forehead.

I placed my hands on his chest and let his piney scent and wet body envelope me. Lifting my chin while rising to my toes, and despite the possibility of catching his cold, I set my mouth to his. Guess all our tension was released as we kissed like tomorrow would come too soon. Good thing I’d had a flu shot.

When we broke apart, he said, “Wow, mama.”

Wow is right. Funny how a little water changed everything. I laughed.

Tilting back to study the new man in my life, I saw he had a sparkling gleam in his eyes, one that tripped and flitted and made my heart go squee.

Find Season of Magic at:  Amazon


What is your favorite holiday goodie? (Leave your email in the commentS to be eligible for a $25.00 Starbucks gift card!)


Click here to link back to the other Mistletoe Hoppers: linky list

Rafflecopter for grand prize!

.@VickiBatman - on Food=Good, author Karilyn Bentley shares a special cookie recipe & a new book #MFRWorg #bakingchristmasgoodies

Plotting Princess, Karilyn Bentley, has a new release--Demon Lore!And she's sharing a recipe, too for
Food = Good
Hi Vicki! Thank you so much for letting me be on your blog today to talk about my newest release, Demon Lore. 

'Tis the season for sweets and these cookies hold a special place in my heart. My friend's grandmother used to make them for us when I was a child. We'd go to visit and she would bake us these cookies as we'd play. When I got older, I asked for the recipe and she was kind enough to give it to me. To me, they taste more like molasses cookies than gingerbread ones, but I love molasses. And gingerbread. Okay, pretty much any sweet. <g>

Gingerbread Cookies by Mrs. Maggie W.

7 1/2 cups flour
1/2 + 1/8 cup Crisco
2 cups molasses
2/3 + 1/3 cup oil
3 eggs
2 1/2 tsp ginger
2 1/2 tsp cinnamon
7 1/2 tsp baking powder
Black raisins, candied cherries or almonds if wanted

Mix, chill at least 2 hours. Slightly flour board (to keep dough from sticking) and roll out dough. Cut and place on a slightly greased cookie sheet. I use a gingerbread man cutter. Bake at 250 for 5 to 7 minutes.

Enjoy!!


 Gin Crawford has enough problems dealing with her empath abilities. Finding out she's the world's newest demon-slayer is the last thing she needs. Unfortunately, when she slips on a mysterious bracelet she is given no other choice. On the plus side, her new gig comes with Tall, Dark and Handsome, a mage who may or may not have her best interests at heart. Thrust into a power-play between good and evil, Gin must choose a side before she becomes the next victim in the ongoing battle.  
Find Karilyn at: Website


Find Demon Lore at:
Amazon The Wild Rose Press

Congratulations, Karilyn! You have a special thing to celebrate this season--your new book! May all you days be merry and bright!

Dec. 13-16: Santa Baby Blog Hop stops here! with Season of Magic authors #MFRWorg #RLFblog #Christmasgoodies

Welcome to the hop. Our hostesses for the day are: Merry, Cara, Gerri, Bobbi, and Vicki. 

When asked who would write our post, Gerri jumped up and down, her arm flailing with an "I do! I do."

"Santa Baby – put a sable under the tree for me. I’ve been an awfully good girl, Santa Baby. Santa honey, I wanna yacht and really that's not a lot." 
I get such a kick out of this song and it has always been one of my favorites. She has quite a list of items she would like to have Santa leave under her tree. This reminds me of the time that my then fiancé was playing Santa for a group adult party. He and I had been living together and planned to wed the following year. At this certain event, “Santa” had a bag with a gift for everyone. I went to the party with my “wish list” in hand and when it was my turn to sit on Santa’s knee, I was ready. I took my seat and put an arm around Santa’s shoulder. 

“Hi Santa,” said I. 

“Hello there,” he said. 

I leaned closer and whispered, “Santa, I’ve been a very naughty girl this year.” 

“I know,” he said. “That’s why you’re getting everything you want.” And he snatched my list from my hand. 

Now every time I hear that song, I think of the scene at this party and it brings a smile to my lips. 

I hope that Santa brings you everything you want this year, but in the meantime why not treat yourself to a special holiday treat? Season of Magic (Holiday Box Set) features five authors, three novellas and two short stories all of holiday theme. With four Christmas stories and one Chanukah tale that will all warm your heart for the holidays. 






Find Season of Magic at:  Amazon

Prize! Leave your name and email in the comments and we'll do a drawing for a holiday stocking from Vicki filled with goodies!



Follow this link for more hopping:
http://safariheatbooktoursandauthorservices.blogspot.com/ 

Dec. 13-16: Santa Baby Blog Hop stops here! with Season of Magic authors #MFRWorg #RLFblog #Christmasgoodies

Welcome to the hop. Our hostesses for the day are: Merry, Cara, Gerri, Bobbi, and Vicki. 

When asked who would write our post, Gerri jumped up and down, her arm flailing with an "I do! I do."


"Santa Baby – put a sable under the tree for me. I’ve been an awfully good girl, Santa Baby. Santa honey, I wanna yacht and really that's not a lot."
I get such a kick out of this song and it has always been one of my favorites. She has quite a list of items she would like to have Santa leave under her tree. This reminds me of the time that my then fiancé was playing Santa for a group adult party. He and I had been living together and planned to wed the following year. At this certain event, “Santa” had a bag with a gift for everyone. I went to the party with my “wish list” in hand and when it was my turn to sit on Santa’s knee, I was ready. I took my seat and put an arm around Santa’s shoulder. 

“Hi Santa,” said I. 

“Hello there,” he said. 

I leaned closer and whispered, “Santa, I’ve been a very naughty girl this year.” 

“I know,” he said. “That’s why you’re getting everything you want.” And he snatched my list from my hand. 

Now every time I hear that song, I think of the scene at this party and it brings a smile to my lips. 

I hope that Santa brings you everything you want this year, but in the meantime why not treat yourself to a special holiday treat? Season of Magic (Holiday Box Set) features five authors, three novellas and two short stories all of holiday theme. With four Christmas stories and one Chanukah tale that will all warm your heart for the holidays. 






Find Season of Magic at:  Amazon

Prize! Leave your name and email in the comments and we'll do a drawing for a holiday stocking from Vicki filled with goodies!



Follow this link for more hopping:
http://safariheatbooktoursandauthorservices.blogspot.com/ 

Dec. 13-16: Santa Baby Blog Hop stops here! with Season of Magic authors #MFRWorg #RLFblog #Christmasgoodies

Welcome to the hop. Our hostesses for the day are: Merry, Cara, Gerri, Bobbi, and Vicki. 

When asked who would write our post, Gerri jumped up and down, her arm flailing with an "I do! I do."

"Santa Baby – put a sable under the tree for me. I’ve been an awfully good girl, Santa Baby. Santa honey, I wanna yacht and really that's not a lot." 
I get such a kick out of this song and it has always been one of my favorites. She has quite a list of items she would like to have Santa leave under her tree. This reminds me of the time that my then fiancé was playing Santa for a group adult party. He and I had been living together and planned to wed the following year. At this certain event, “Santa” had a bag with a gift for everyone. I went to the party with my “wish list” in hand and when it was my turn to sit on Santa’s knee, I was ready. I took my seat and put an arm around Santa’s shoulder. 

“Hi Santa,” said I. 

“Hello there,” he said. 

I leaned closer and whispered, “Santa, I’ve been a very naughty girl this year.” 

“I know,” he said. “That’s why you’re getting everything you want.” And he snatched my list from my hand. 

Now every time I hear that song, I think of the scene at this party and it brings a smile to my lips. 

I hope that Santa brings you everything you want this year, but in the meantime why not treat yourself to a special holiday treat? Season of Magic (Holiday Box Set) features five authors, three novellas and two short stories all of holiday theme. With four Christmas stories and one Chanukah tale that will all warm your heart for the holidays. 






Find Season of Magic at:  Amazon

Prize! Leave your name and email in the comments and we'll do a drawing for a holiday stocking from Vicki filled with goodies!



Follow this link for more hopping:
http://safariheatbooktoursandauthorservices.blogspot.com/2014/10/santa-baby-blog-hop-sign-up.html/

Dec. 13-16: Santa Baby Blog Hop stops here! with Season of Magic authors #MFRWorg #RLFblog #Christmasgoodies

Welcome to the hop. Our hostesses for the day are: Merry, Cara, Gerri, Bobbi, and Vicki. 

When asked who would write our post, Gerri jumped up and down, her arm flailing with an "I do! I do."


"Santa Baby – put a sable under the tree for me. I’ve been an awfully good girl, Santa Baby."
I get such a kick out of this song and it has always been one of my favorites. She has quite a list of items she would like to have Santa leave under her tree. This reminds me of the time that my then fiancé was playing Santa for a group adult party. He and I had been living together and planned to wed the following year. At this certain event, “Santa” had a bag with a gift for everyone. I went to the party with my “wish list” in hand and when it was my turn to sit on Santa’s knee, I was ready. I took my seat and put an arm around Santa’s shoulder. 

“Hi Santa,” said I. 

“Hello there,” he said. 

I leaned closer and whispered, “Santa, I’ve been a very naughty girl this year.” 

“I know,” he said. “That’s why you’re getting everything you want.” And he snatched my list from my hand. 

Now every time I hear that song, I think of the scene at this party and it brings a smile to my lips. 

I hope that Santa brings you everything you want this year, but in the meantime why not treat yourself to a special holiday treat? Season of Magic (Holiday Box Set) features five authors, three novellas and two short stories all of holiday theme. With four Christmas stories and one Chanukah tale that will all warm your heart for the holidays. 






Find Season of Magic at:  Amazon

Prize! Leave your name and email in the comments and we'll do a drawing for a holiday stocking from Vicki filled with goodies!



Follow this link for more hopping:
http://safariheatbooktoursandauthorservices.blogspot.com/2014/10/santa-baby-blog-hop-sign-up.html/  

.@VickiBatman - #Movie Mom has another round of classic holiday films #MFRWorg #RLFblog #Holidaymovies

A couple of weeks ago, I wrote about my favorite holiday films--just a few of them. I could have gone on and on. 


* Movie Mom *
So here's a few more:


George Bailey has given up his dreams in order to help others, but when he contemplates suicide, a shows him all the lives he has touched and how different life in his community of Bedford Falls would be had he never been born. Stars Jimmy Stewart and Donna Reed. Not initially a critical success, but is definitely important in showing how we impact other people. My favorite line is "To my big brother, George. The richest man in town."



Home Alone:  an eight-year-old boy is mistakenly left behind when his family flies to Paris for their Christmas vacation and has to deal with two incompetent. MacCauley Culkin, Joe Pesci, and Daniel Stern star in this film by John Hughes.








This time, Kevin, who is alone in NYC while his family is in Miami, foils the Wet Bandits' plan to rob a toy story. Not a favorite of the critics; however, my boys loved it.










A young boy home with chicken pox outwits four international criminals after a computer chip housed in a toy car. The gang of goons are hilarious. 











When a writer is "persuaded" by her publisher to host Christmas at her farm for a sailor, she takes drastic steps to cover her tracks. Barbara Stanwyck plays the writer and Sydney Greenstreet is her outrageous publisher.











To overcome being dumped by his love and dance partner, an entertainer opens a club only available on holidays. Starring Bing Crosby and Fred Astaire with songs by Irving Berlin.








May your days be filled with fun and forever-after. Hugs!

.@VickiBatman - Who is showing off her handbag? Why author Bobbi Lerman! #fashion #accessories #MFRWorg

Handbag Monday--er--Wednesday! Welcomes author Bobbi Lerman whose work is featured in the Season of Magic anthology. *Handbag Monday*   This is my favorite spring and summer bag. I love the vibrant colors that look like they are painted onto the leather. I found this particular handbag at Marshall's. The tag said the original price was $229.00. It was marked down on clearance to $29.00. I snatched it up and hoped all the way through the check out, it wasn't a mistake. It wasn't. Yipee, Bobbi! I actually looked at something similar at Marshall's after my sisters had bought theirs. It was more like a tote. I'm very jealous. AND what a great deal!  Hopes and wishes. And holiday kisses...the Season of Magic.
Wrap yourself in the holiday spirit with five romantic stories filled with fun and forever after.  
Bobbi's story in Season of Magic is Matchmaker, Matchmaker - With Chanukah around the corner, is there enough magic left for a matchmaker to bring Molly's cynical heart back to life?

Intriguing--right?

Find Season of Magic at: Amazon

 Thank you, Bobbi, for being with me today on Handbag--er--Wednesday!

.@VickiBatman ~ A Season of Magic author, Gerri Brousseau, with her beloved handbag #MFRWorg #RLFblog #fashion

Welcome to another handbag from the Season of Magic, a holiday anthology, from author Gerri Brousseau.

Handbag Monday

Gerri Brousseau resides in Connecticut with her pug, Mimi, and their cats, Harry and Louise. Besides writing, she enjoys cooking and spending time with her 2-year old grand-daughter. Gerri's greatest wish is to meet J.K. Rowling. 




Here's what Gerri has to say about her handbag: Although I'm more of a shoe person, I have to admit that this is one of my favorite little handbags. It’s a Dooney and Bourke. When I saw it, I knew I had to have it. I know it’s strictly a summer bag, but it’s so playful and really reflects my mindset of summer. I simply couldn’t resist it. 

I walked into the store and there it was. It was love at first sight. So taken was I by this instant attraction that I tried to ignore it. I meandered around and pretending to be interested in something else, but it kept calling to me. I put it on my arm and strolled around the shop for a while, you know, to get the feel of the bag. It was a match made in heaven. 

This little summer bag is a few years old, but it remains my favorite. Each spring, I take it out with eagerness, and each autumn, I put it away with a tinge of sadness and a promise to renew our relationship in the spring.

Wow, Gerri, sounds as if this is a handbag match made in heaven.




Gerri's story in Season of Magic is Yuletide Bride  - The Dowager Duchess’s decree that her grandson must marry before Twelfth Night or relinquish his title and fortune. Without any prospects and with only two weeks until Christmas, will Stuart Nelson find himself destitute or will he find The Yuletide Bride?

Intriguing--right?

Find Season of Magic at: Amazon

Find Gerri at: Website

#Movie Mom: The Saving Private Ryan of tanks - FURY #MFRWauthors #RLForg #PlottingPrincesses

Handsome and I settled in our chairs at the theater, and I remarked, "I don't think I've seen a war movie since Monument's Men." 

And then Fury began.


#Movie Mom 
Blurb: The film opens in April, 1945.  A battle-hardened sergeant in the 2nd Armored Division commands a tank called "Fury" and its crew to hold significant crossroads until the U.S. arrives.

Fury was written and directed by David Ayer, starring Brad Pitt, Shia LaBeouf, Logan Lerman, Jon Bernthal, Michael Peña, Jason Isaacs, and Scott Eastwood. 

My Thoughts: This movie was so awesome and had me wound up. I had to take long deep breaths after it concluded because of being so tense. The camera work is up close and very personal. I lived with each character. Kudos to the cast for their acting. The setting was spot on. The Nazis bad. The tank-incredible.

I wouldn't miss this one if you love war movies. It's hard, real, scary, action-packed. Well done.

"Best job I ever had."

FMI: Fury