Joya Fields's Blog

Saddest Christmas Songs

Saddest Christmas SongsI don't know if it's my age, or the times we live in. This Christmas/Chanukah season, I have heard more people say "I just want to get through the holidays" than ever before. As sad as that sounds, I think it's okay to honor how hard the holidays are for a lot of people. I asked my Facebook friends for their input about the saddest Christmas songs, and boy, did they come through! There are some tunes I expected on this list, and some I'd never heard of.
So if you're missing a loved one, having a tough time dealing with festive music/people/surroundings, or you have bad memories from this time of year, please give yourself permission to be sad and have a good cry for a bit. And then I hope you'll find a way to move on. Put one foot in front of the other, count your blessings right here and now, and smile whenever you get the chance. I know I'll be trying right along with you. 

1. The Christmas ShoesOkay, I know I said these were in no particular order, but this song was mentioned so many times, that it really does sort of take over the #1 position. The song even inspired a movie (get the tissues if you dare to watch). The Christmas Shoes
2. Same Old Lang Syne by Dan FoglebergThis one is a big "what if?" that all of us can relate to.Same Old Lang Syne, Dan Fogleberg
3. Blue ChristmasThis song got a lot of votes for saddest song. It's one we all probably know, but it still hurts to hear it if you're missing someone this time of year.Blue Christmas
4. A Soldier's Silent NightI dare you not to cry. Thank you to all who have served our country.A Soldier's Silent Night
5. Where Are You Christmas?For anyone wondering where the Christmas spirit is...or missing someone who makes and toughing it through this season. Featured in the Jim Carrey version of "The Grinch Who Stole Christmas."Where Are You Christmas?
6. I'll Be Home For ChristmasSad...because you think the singer will be home for Christmas. But the only way it will happen is in his dreams. One Facebook friend said she was away from home for the first time at Christmas, in Africa, and a choir sung this song, making her homesick.I'll Be Home For Christmas
7. All I Want For Christmas is YouAlthough this can be considered an upbeat song (and hey, it's not materialistic, which is nice), one friend said this song is sad because it can make you miss someone who can't be with you. Her husband was deployed overseas and she wasn't able to be with him at Christmas, making this a hard song to listen to.All I Want For Christmas
8. Please Come Home for ChristmasAll of the cheerfulness of people celebrating around you...yet you're missing the one you love.Please Come Home For Christmas
9. Merry Christmas, DarlingKaren Carpenter's voice makes this an even sadder song. All she wants is to be near the one she loves.Merry Christmas, Darling
10. Hard Candy ChristmasShe's trying to do what she can to be "fine" and distract herself from the holiday.  But it's like getting only hard candy for Christmas.Hard Candy Christmas
11. Last ChristmasWham! Learning life's lessons by giving away your heart to someone who doesn't deserve it.Last Christmas
12. Do They Know It's Christmas?We who have food, shelter, and peace can share with those who don't, can't we? Do They Know It's Christmas?
13. Another Lonely ChristmasThis one is made so much sadder because Prince is gone. Another Lonely Christmas
14. The Cat CarolWow. If you haven't heard this one yet, be prepared to sob. One friend said it represents Jesus. The Cat Carol
15. Christmas in the TrenchesIf you have loved ones fighting overseas, this one hits home. Again...thank you to those who have served and are serving our country.Christmas in the Trenches
16. Light One CandlePeter, Paul and Mary sing this Chanukah song of hope. Sad for the memories it evokes and the memories it pleads for us to keep alive.Light One Candle
17. I Believe in Father ChristmasThe words are sad, dark, and...well, a story of disillusion.I Believe in Father Christmas
18. Fairy Tale of New YorkA friend says,  "this one sounds upbeat, but the lyrics are pretty sad." Do fairy tales really come true?Fairy Tale of New York
19. It Wouldn't Be Christmas Without YouSpeaks to the importance of those we love surrounding us this time of year. It Wouldn't Be Christmas Without You
20. WintersongIf Sarah McLaclan's sad voice and piano playing aren't enough to get your tears going, listen to the words, and feel the pain of missing someone. Wintersong
21. RiverJoni Mitchell speaks to the side of us that wants to "skate away" from the hardest parts of life...including the holidays.River
22. Christmas TimeBeing lonely at Christmas sucks. Andy Davis makes this clear with his words and voice.Christmas Time
23. Have Yourself a Merry Little ChristmasIs this one sad? Maybe. If you're feeling nostalgic for things that used to be a certain way. Regardless, it's always nice to listen to Frank Sinatra, right?Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas
24. My DecemberMaybe you can relate to this song because your December is like this, too. Linkin Park makes you feel like you are not alone if you're pretending to be happy through this month.My December, Linkin Park
 And a few honorable mentions because a lot of people view these songs as disturbing:1. Grandma Got Run Over By A ReindeerI know, I know. It's a parody. It's tongue-in-cheek. But really?Grandma Got Run Over By a Reindeer
2. Baby, It's Cold OutsideI've got to admit, I've never thought of this one as disturbing, but one friend says her son calls this the "date rape" song and another (nurse) friend says that the old Johnny Meyer version of this song refers to "getting pneumonia and dying." Sheesh! Baby, It's Cold OutsideAn interesting update here: a couple named Lydia Liza and Josiah Lemanski has rewritten this song to stress the importance of consent in this version: Baby It's Cold Outside, Consent Version


Do you have any songs to add? 
Maybe all you need is a good cry to make it through this season. But if you need more, please remember, if you need help through the holidays, or any time of year, the National Suicide hotline is there for you: Call 1-800-273-8255.

New Book Review Blog Launches Today! #amreading

Cheers to Grace and My Book Snack
If there's one thing authors love as much as writing and reading, it's blogs about books!

I'm thrilled to share in the absolute fun of revealing my good friend Grace Z.'s romance book blog. I can't wait to see the books and information that My Book Snack blog will feature in these coming weeks. Today's post is definitely one with good timing--a delicious cookie recipe just in time for the holidays. Paleo Hot Cocoa cookies with vanilla bean frosting. Can you say YUM?!! :)

Check out this blog today! You'll be glad you did. And congrats, congrats, congrats, Grace! You've earned the right to call yourself an expert. :)
Click here to visit: My Book Snack

A Day of Fire, A novel of Pompeii #NewRelease

At long last, this riveting story about the final days of Pompeii is
available in e-book and print!

“This truly is the finest book I have read this year, an emotional
roller-coaster that educates while it entertains. Its impact will stay with me
for quite some time.” ~Parmenion
Books

“Despite knowing what happens in Pompeii and to the majority of
its citizens, A Day of Fire is a book full of suspense, fear, and unexpected
bravery.” ~Ageless
Pages

“I can’t praise this book highly enough. It’s a rattling good
tale of disaster, death, resolution and rebirth.” ~Dodging
Arrows

“I LOVED this! The writing style, the choice of stories told,
the evolution of characters, the drama. I couldn’t have asked for anything
better.” ~The
Maiden’s Court

"Each one of these authors deserves a huge amount of
praise for putting this impressive piece of art together.” ~Steven
McKay

DESCRIPTION:

Pompeii was a lively resort flourishing in the
shadow of Mount Vesuvius at the height of the Roman Empire. When Vesuvius
erupted in an explosion of flame and ash, the entire town would be destroyed.
Some of its citizens died in the chaos, some escaped the mountain's wrath . . .
and these are their stories:

A boy loses his
innocence in Pompeii's flourishing streets.
An heiress dreads her wedding
day, not knowing it will be swallowed by fire.
An ex-legionary stakes his
entire future on a gladiator bout destined never to be finished.
A
crippled senator welcomes death, until a tomboy on horseback comes to his
rescue.
A young mother faces an impossible choice for her unborn child as
the ash falls.
A priestess and a whore seek redemption and resurrection as
the town is buried.

Six authors bring to life
overlapping stories of patricians and slaves, warriors and politicians, villains
and heroes who cross each others' path during Pompeii's fiery end. But who will
escape, and who will be buried for eternity?

Buy Now:

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads

Four Spooky Romances #giveaway #Halloween

We're giving away some awesomely fun and spooky books! I'm joining talented authors KELLY MORAN,  KATHRYN KNIGHT, and DENISE MONCRIEF for this contest. One lucky person will win an e-copy of all four spooky romances on October 31st!      HOW TO ENTER GIVEAWAY
#1: Like all 4 author pages listed below and Follow on Twitter.
#2: COMMENT with "done" and TAG FRIENDS.
Good luck and HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

KELLY MORAN
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/authorkellymoran
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/authorkmoran
KATHRYN KNIGHT
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Kathryn-Knight-books/305788679454063
Twitter: https://twitter.com/k_knightbooks
JOYA FIELDS
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JoyaFieldsAuthor
Twitter: https://twitter.com/JoyaFields
DENISE MONCRIEF
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DeniseMoncriefAuthor
Twitter: https://twitter.com/dmoncrief0131 Thanks for participating and Happy Halloween! Joya's Amazon Page

Release Day Blitz! Delphina Henley's new release #99cents for limtied time

My good friend Delphina Henley's book is available now for only .99 cents! Limited time, so grab your copy now.
Is this a great title, or what? It's a New Adult Paranormal Romance. Check out some of the fun details about this book below and be sure to scroll down to enter a really cool Rafflecopter with awesome prizes, too.

Buy now on  Amazon





Happy Release Week Sale!!! Only $.99 for one week only! Always be yourself... that was the last advice Scout's Grandma Nora gave her before she died. Scout has spent her life trying to be anything but, but she has a chance to start anew as she moves several states away to college. She had always thought the glowing aura she saw around some people was a childhood fancy, but when it starts coming back just as she's starting her new life, she learns there was much hidden about who she truly is.Thankfully, she has a motley crew to help her along the way: a spunky bookseller, a trustworthy pub owner, a commanding grandmother, a possible best friend, and a hot rocker boy who only has eyes for her.Unless You Can Be A Unicorn is a New Adult Paranormal Romance with content appropriate for a Young Adult audience.
Amazon [image error] Giveaway: Be sure to enter to win a Ginormous Gift Pack of Awesome including a GC, Books, swag and more :You can check out the prize pack on the FB Release Day Extravaganza page and join the fun!a Rafflecopter giveaway


























Links for UNLESS YOU CAN BE A UNICORN:
Amazon

Laura Kaye's Newest Release Available Now! #HardToHoldOnTo

My good friend and NYT/USA Today bestseller Laura Kaye has a new release. It's a quick read, a Hard Ink novella, and you'll be hooked on the series.

Here's a description of Hard to Hold On To. Get your copy today!


Five dishonored soldiers.
Former Special Forces.
One last mission.
These are the men of Hard Ink.

Edward "Easy" Cantrell knows better than most the pain of not being able to save those he loves—which is why he is not going to let Jenna Dean out of his sight. He may have just met her, but Jenna's the first person to make him feel alive since that devastating day in the desert more than a year ago.
Jenna has never met anyone like Easy. She can't describe how he makes her feel—and not just because he saved her life. No, the stirrings inside her stretch far beyond gratitude.
When the pair is thrust together and chaos reigns around them, they both know one thing: The things in life most worth having are the hardest to hold on to.


Available now!
Amazon   Barnes and Noble

TAKING HER HOME: new #eroticRomance by Jolene Beauchamp #swingers #swingersparty

Jolene's newest ménage release tests the boundaries of love and relationships...one sexy move at a time.

Blush (if you must) as you read this blurb, and then enjoy Rafe and Emma's story!



            Emma Anderson is always taking care of others. If it’s not the preemie babies at work, it’s her blind dog and ailing grandfather. She’s generous, trusting and loving…sometimes too much so. Neglecting her own needs on the process of helping others, she returns to her home town to care for her grandfather.
Rafe McCormick—the man who took Emma’s virginity years ago—still resides in their hometown. He’s hot, sexy, and carries two secret passions.  One will help Emma find a new side of herself in the sexiest way possible as he introduces her to the erotic world of swingers. The other will force him to reveal his deepest desire…
Will his penchant for being a swinger bring them together as a couple, or pull them apart forever?


On Sale Now! Amazon (Kindle)  B&N (Nook)

As always! Thanks for reading! xxoo

Christi Barth's newest release! Great #SummerReading UP TO ME

I'm thrilled to share this great news! Christi Barth, fabulous writer and my awesome critique partner, has a new release and it's perfect for your summer beach read, a weekend read...or any excuse you can come up with to enjoy this book. Even better news, too...this book is the first in a trilogy which means there's a lot more romance coming up.
Hope you enjoy this blurb and excerpt and be sure to get your copy today!
Up To Me ~ Book 1 of the Shore Secrets trilogy               Ella Mayhew’s always appreciated the beautiful view of Seneca Lake from the spa window of her family’s hotel. But the view improves dramatically when a hot stranger runs across the grounds—shirtless. He’s the first man to kickstart her hormones in the three years since she lost her parents, and she doesn’t even know his name.Graydon Locke’s on his umpteenth undercover assignment. The routine’s always the same: assess a business, recommend it for closure, then roll out before anyone discovers his decisions impact hundreds of lives. He’s always believed nothing good comes out of small towns. Why would this one be different? Then he makes two classic rookie mistakes—falling for the sweet, sexy girl who owns the very business he’s on the verge of axing. And letting the town’s residents get involved in both his life, and his relationship with Ella.Ella’s the best thing to ever happen to Gray, but he’s lied to her from the start. If he pulls the plug on Mayhew Manor, the entire town may crumble. Ella couldn’t save her parents, but it’s up to her to save their hotel. Even if that means turning her back on true love. Excerpt :“Come do yoga with me tomorrow.”
“I’m a guy. We’re all about being hard and stiff, not soft and bendy.”
Ella blinked rapidly to clear the images of a naked, hard-muscled Gray that popped into her mind. And hardness…other places. “Don’t be so close-minded. Didn’t you end up enjoying the massage I gave you?”
“Yes.” He sounded adorably sulky at being forced to acknowledge it. Why was it that men found it so hard to admit when they were wrong? Definitely a topic of discussion for her next margarita night with the girls.
“See? You can’t dismiss something out of hand without at least trying it.”
Gray wrinkled his nose. “Do I have a choice?”
“No.” Ella brought up her other hand to cup his face. “You deserve to be looked after. It’s not much, I know, but let me help you in the only way I can.”
“I’ll do it—”
Ella bounced a little. “Terrific.”
“—on one condition. I’ve just come up with a good plan for stress release. Let’s try my way first.” Gray wove his fingers through the loose knit of her turquoise sweater. In one swift move, he pulled it off over her head and tossed it into the corner. “Come swimming with me. Right now.”
Was he serious? To stall for time while she processed the preposterous suggestion, Ella stammered, “We…we don’t have suits.”
“You said the pool’s still officially closed. No one will interrupt us.” He toyed with the strap of her matching tank. “You’ve got this thing. I’m wearing boxer briefs. We’ll be more covered up than in suits. Unless you don’t think you can control yourself around me?”
That was it in a nutshell. Not that she’d admit it to Gray. Not when he had that sharp eyebrow arched and a smug quirk to his lips. If he was trying to shock her…well, he had, no denying that. But what better way was there to embrace life fully than to embrace a dripping wet, mostly naked Gray? While she’d never work up the courage to tell him, this was the kind of activity Dr. T. would probably applaud. Or at least give her a gold star. He had asked her to email him with progress reports if anything big happened. Unable to resist, she glanced down at Gray’s crotch. Ella expected something very big, indeed, was about to happen.
“Water’s extremely therapeutic,” she said in her most serious, I’m massaging you but not judging your naked body in any way professional voice. “Swimming is a good counterpart to yoga. They use the same long muscles.”
Yup. Her matter-of-fact delivery dropped his eyebrow back to its usual straight line and wiped the smug from his lips. Ella kept the surprises rolling. She stood, unbuttoned her skirt and let it slide the floor into a big blue puddle. Then she reached out, grabbed his wrist, and yanked him sideways into the pool with her.
The simultaneous body flops slapped noise and water all around the room. Ella recovered first, treading water while waiting for Gray to get his bearings and surface. Keeping her head above water was easy. Breathing, however, was not, as she was laughing her head off at catching him off guard. Finally, with much thrashing and churning of the water, Gray popped up near the middle of the pool.
“What the hell?” he yelled, his voice bouncing off the rocks with a hollow echo. “I’m wearing clothes!”
“So take them off,” she yelled back. Geez, it was his idea. Ella had just implemented it without talking it to death first. She’d thought he’d appreciate her spontaneity.
Gray stared at her for a minute, totally unreadable. Then his head disappeared beneath the water again. In fact, he sank straight to the bottom. It worried her. But just until a heavy, sodden pair of jeans landed like a giant blue spitwad in front of her. Laughing, she tossed them over her shoulder in the general direction of their shoes. Then Gray’s shirt appeared, floating near the filter. Something she’d have to remember to retrieve before morning when maintenance would make their final sweep before reopening the pool.
She felt Gray first. His head brushed against her stomach. Using her body like a swim ladder, he climbed it with his hands until just those brilliant blue eyes broke the surface. Blinked at her once. Then he tilted his head back and arced a stream of water from his lips to the dead center of her forehead. Laughing even harder, Ella reached under his shoulders to pull him the rest of the way up.
That’s when the laughter stopped. When buoyancy slammed his oh my God so hard cock right against her. When it was the most natural thing in the world to wrap her legs tight around him to keep him nestled against all her heat and what felt like every freaking nerve ending in her body. And when she twined her arms around his neck just for the thrill of rubbing her breasts across his chest.
With two powerful kicks, Gray propelled them to the wall. He sandwiched Ella against it and hung on to the rocks to keep them both afloat. “I’m on board with your idea. As you can tell.” He ground against her in a way that absolutely proved not only that he was enthusiastic about stripping, but that there was definitely nothing between them other than two thin, skintight layers of cotton. Gray’s impressive length was no longer just an impression or wishful thinking. It was hard and long and she couldn’t wait to impale herself on him. For now, she locked her ankles together and let the water do most of the work of bobbing her up and down in a rhythmic, full-body caress.
Water glistened at the tips of his lashes. Ella kissed it away, then just kept heading south. Over his early-evening stubble. Down past the Adam’s apple that jerked reflexively. She’d always thought them sexy. So uniquely masculine.
A nibble in the hollow of his collarbone. Down till her lips were just underwater, closed around his nipple. Ella flicked it against her teeth. Gray…growled? Whatever the noise was, it came from deep inside him and turned her core body temperature up by about twenty percent.
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Bio: Christi Barth earned a Masters degree in vocal performance and embarked upon a career on the stage.  A love of romance then drew her to wedding planning.  Ultimately she succumbed to her lifelong love of books and now writes award-winning contemporary romance.  Christi is President of the Maryland Romance Writers and lives in Maryland with her husband.

Beneath the Surface is #99cents for limited time! #kindle #nook

Excited to announce that Beneath the Surface is a daily pick for Bookbub's eBook deal of the day. It's only on sale for a limited time, so grab your copy today!




Beneath the Surface, the award winning story of an amputee who is fighting to stay independent and the cop who’s determined to protect her no matter what…
     Brooke Richards survived the earthquake that took her parents and most of her leg, but she needs time to regroup. A trip to Florida to visit her best friend Linda seems ideal. But the trip turns traumatic when Brooke witnesses Linda’s boat disintegrating in a fiery explosion.    Police officer Garrett Ciavello believes the blast was intentionally set. When Brooke offers her expertise in underwater archeology, Garrett accepts her help with the investigation. But since his fiancée’s death years ago, Garrett has become overprotective, and as they are drawn to each other, Garrett realizes he will risk anything to keep Brooke safe.    Brooke is fiercely independent. Garrett is fiercely protective. Will they heal each other’s wounds and find a killer…before it’s too late?  Excerpt:             For the first time since the accident, Brooke forgot about her leg. Forgot about all she’d lost and focused on the way Garrett made her feel.            She knew she needed to stop him. She should find a way to resist the temptation to be with him. But for a few minutes, she could enjoy the taste of him, the feel of him, couldn’t she?            He dropped his hands to her waist and softened the kiss before trailing a line of kisses down her neck. A weak cry slipped from her mouth. “Garrett,” she whispered.            She should stop this now before it got any more intense.            He lifted her chin and forced her to meet his brown eyes, smoky with desire. Heat spiraled to her middle and she caught a whiff of his sawdust scent.            “I…I can walk you back to your own room before I head to mine.” His voice broke as he whispered.            She swallowed hard. She couldn’t do this right now with him. Too many obstacles stood in their way. But as she looked in his somber eyes, she realized none of those complications were bigger than her need for Garrett.            “Let’s go to your room,” she said, her voice shaking. She moved her hands inside his shirt and ran them over his tight abs and chest. Heat soared through her body at the feel of him. “Together…” On sale for limited time! 99 cents!! Amazon   Barnes and Noble

Brooke Richards Garrett Ciavello 

Talent to Burn by Laura Welling #NewRelease #Kindle

 I'm thrilled to share the debut book release of Laura Welling, an amazingly creative author and awesome critique partner/friend. I'm so proud of her and this book is GREAT! Hope you'll check it out.   TALENT TO BURN by LAURA WELLING
Passion burns. Betrayal scars.

Cat Wilson grew up a misfit among misfits. She couldn’t read minds, see the future, or start fires like the other Talented kids inside the shadowy Grey Institute. Finally she ran, leaving her beloved brother, Eric, behind. She’s been running ever since.

When she learns that Eric has escaped, leaving deadly fires in his wake, Cat is torn between fear for her brother, and unwanted attraction to the messenger, a charming, Talented ex-con who lives for the next adrenaline rush.

Jamie Murphy is sure his group of outcast Talents can help Eric—if they can get to him before the cops or the Institute, and before he kills again. Cat’s aversion to Talented bad boys is like a wall of ice, but to his surprise, he doesn’t have to use an ounce of his own unique gift to find a way through it.

Yet locating Eric is only the beginning. In the battle to pull him back from the brink, Cat must find the courage to unlock a fearsome Talent of her own. And pray the psychic backdraft doesn’t destroy everyone she loves.

 
Laura Welling, AuthorAuthor Bio:
When’s she’s not writing, Laura Welling wears a lot of other hats: mother, farmer, and software engineer. She's Australian but lives in the United States on a horse farm, which she shares with her family, an over-sized dog, and various horses, cats and chickens. She is a compulsive reader of all genre fiction, who started reading before the age of two, and never stopped. She wrote her first “book” when she was five—a spy story, which has since been joined in a bottom drawer by various other early attempts.
This book was inspired by some of her favorite stories: Anne McCaffrey’s science fiction novels, Marvel’s X-Men comics, and The X-Files television series.

Author Links:
Blog/website: http://laurawelling.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/laura_welling
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/laurawelling...
 Talent To Burn Buy Links:Samhain| Amazon| Barnes & Noble | Kobo | Google Play