Becky Lower's Blog, page 45

All I Want For Christmas--Day 6

Teaser Time!

This excerpt is brought to you by Larynn Ford, who wrote another one of the short stories from SMP’s Chrismas anthology this year.  It’s titled CHRISTMAS BLESSINGS.
The hook : ~ Killed the night before their wedding, a ghostly groom finds a way to return from the dead to be with his true love … ~

The excerpt:
Lila scanned the faces of her tour group for any indication someone else heard the voice. She read disbelief, anticipation, but no hint of surprise on a single face. Not one inkling anyone else caught the whispers of a name—her name—floating on the air.
Did I imagine someone calling to me?
“Li-la.”
Not her imagination. She worried her bottom lip between
her teeth as she searched each face again. Nothing. No one else seems to hear this.
The lights in the historic library had been switched off during the ghost tour to hopefully entice some resident spirits to reveal themselves. Fragrant cedar boughs cascaded from the staircase railing, filling the air with holiday scents. The colorful glow of festive lights strung along the streets spilled in through the windows and reflected off the gold and silver ornaments dotting the evergreens.
Chrissie, her best friend, had chosen this ghost tour on their weekend getaway. Even on a friendly face she read no surprise, nothing out of the ordinary. Yet, the voice calling to her was real.
Familiar. So familiar.
But he had been taken from her a year ago. The night before their wedding.

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All I Want For Christmas--Day 5

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Today is all about Elle Hill! Her story is called Hunted Holidays.

Hunter Jade's assignment to guard the new guy turns into a life and death food fight, sparking romance among the rutabagas.

Sounds like fun, doesn't it? Here's a taste:

The second thing she noticed about him was his tie. A tie, as in little-silk-noose-around-his-neck. Granted, the swirly, blue and silver teardrop shapes (called argyle or paisley or something like that) looked kind of sharp against his white, button up shirt. But, still, who wore ties while cooking for needy families?

The first thing she noticed was his eyes; huge, black-fringed, and blue as a smogless L.A. sky. Gazing into them, she stumbled just a little before skidding to a halt in front of him at ten minutes past three.

“Sorry I’m late,” she said.

He smiled and extended a hand. “Jade,” he said, and his voice was cheerfully melodic, a perfect radio voice. “I’m Jensen. Pleased to meet you.”

Cherubic blue eyes or not, she didn’t want him getting the wrong idea. She brushed her hand against his, nodded, and said, “Yep. Let’s go.”

Want more Elle? Here you go: http://ellehillauthor.blogspot.com/

All I Want For Chrismas--Day 4

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Today, Lynn Cahoon takes over the blog with her lovely Christmas story, Top Secret Santa.
--Two strangers, each starting a new life, realize visiting Santa really is about Christmas magic....--

Excerpt:

Noelle watched the door close behind him with a pang of regret. She’d probably never see the guy again. Which was exactly the way she wanted it, she reminded herself. She dressed in her street clothes, hung up the elf costume, and shut the locker door. The arm of the Santa suit hung out of an adjoining locker and she opened the door to tuck the fabric back into the stuffed space.

As she stroked the soft fabric, she thought of her own Santa visits over the years. After she’d grown up, she’d asked for more intangible gifts. Excellent grades on her finals, for her parents to be happy, and, if not for world peace, maybe fewer wars raging over the planet.

This year she asked for the moon . . . to fall in love with someone ready to love her back.

Want more of Lynn? Check her out here:

http://lynncahoon.wordpress.com/

All I Want For Christmas--Day 3

 Click on The Romance Review's Year-End Blog hop button on the right to be eligible to win over 400 prizes during the month of November!

The spotlight today turns to Cynthia Racette today with her entry, A Child Is Born.

Two teens, assisting with a church Christmas pageant, discover the true meaning of the season through their own Christmas miracle.

Excerpt:
The man who'd helped them stood by, obviously wanting to make sure they were okay.

"We're okay. Just a little shaken." Val eyed him more closely. He wore a beige tunic in a rough, coarse material. Over it he wore a dark brown cloak that looked like linen and on his head a black cloth with a woven band that kept his long hair back. There were others walking around, all wearing the same type of clothing in different colors, materials and ornamentation.

Sweating in her winter outfit, Val pulled off her gloves and coat and Jason did the same. The foreign man reached out tentatively, and felt the mohair of her fluffy green sweater. "Where did you get this? Persia, perhaps?” He pointed to her leather boots. “You must be rich."

He touched Jason's soft flannel shirt, tracing the plaid of green, blue, and red. "How do you weave colors such as this?"

"Uh, I don't know." Jason finally glanced around. "I wonder where we are. Can you tell us the name of this town?"

The man looked at them oddly. "Why, it is Bethlehem, of Judea."

As Jason and Val stared at him in disbelief, a frisson of awareness ran the length of Val's spine. It couldn't be. But a glance around confirmed the momentous truth of what had happened. Her eyes told her it was possible, but she wasn't sure she believed her own sight.

Somehow, on Christmas Eve, they had landed in Bethlehem. And a look around told them it was not the Bethlehem of today, but rather many years ago.



How to reach Cynthia:

Website: www.cynthiaracette.com
Released August 28: Uncharted Fate
Released 2012: Windswept
Novella: Married to the Job, to release fall 2013
Blogsite:  www.authorcynthiaracette.com

All I Want For Christmas

 Christmas Miracles, by Anna Bloom

Anna says about her story...


I love my characters in what I like to call ‘My Crimbo Short’ and I love the fact that within a few thousand words I was able to give them a great ending. I’m also proud of the fact that even though it is short I managed to tick all my writing ‘must-do’s’. It’s funny, sexy, sarcastic and has a swoonworthy guy in the lead. . .I’ve read the other stories in the collection and they are all AMAZING and so worth a download.Here is the hook for Christmas Miracles….~ Jude gave up on Christmas last year when her husband walked out, but anything could happen this holiday season, thanks to a new man and a Christmas miracle . . . ~
I hope you will all give it a read and enjoy Jude and Adam’s festive tale and we all can start feeling Christmassy together . . . now where is my tinsel?


Please click on The Romance Review's poster on the right to join in the blog hop all month long. Over 400 participating authors, and prizes given away daily. It's great fun! 

All I Want For Christmas

The idea for a blog hop for this anthology kind of got lost in the shuffle, so, to do due diligence to all, I'm going to feature one story a day for twenty days. Since Jo Richardson provided me with material, she'll go first. (Yes, I'm that lazy).

Excerpt from Lost In Christmas by Jo Richardson:

I make a mean version of taco salad, but just as I’m getting ready to sit down and devour the food, there’s a knock at my door. Berkley looks up at me expectantly while my brow dips a little.

“Dammit.”

I have to answer it, I realize, but before I do, I kneel down to get eye level with my best friend.

“Berkley?”

He tilts his head.

“Guard dog.”

Berkley growls and it sounds ferocious enough, so I stand and grin. “I’ve taught you well, young padawan.”

I review some defensive techniques I learned once upon a time as he follows me to the door. When I open it, all is forgotten because the man standing in front of me doesn’t look like a threat at all.

He’s tall and looming, yes, but his face seems, nice. He’s soft around the eyes and perfect around the lips. As they move to say something I can’t hear him because I’m too busy noticing his broad shoulders. Not too broad, though, they’re just right. I won’t mention the scruffy five o’clock shadow forming along his jaw.

“Hello?”

My mouth snaps shut and I blink.

“What?”

“Can I use your phone?” he asks slowly as he kicks his shoes against the stoop. He begins to take a step forward, assuming I’ll just say yes. Berkley lets out his version of a warning bark and I put a hand to the man’s chest.

“I don’t have a phone.”

He laughs. “Everyone has a phone.”

I push a little harder. “Not this everyone.” I’m trying to stand my ground, but honestly, I’m faltering here.

“Do you have a cell phone?” he asks.

I narrow my eyes. “Yes, why?”

He pulls his out. “Because maybe your cell range is better than mine.”

I try to remain strong. “Cell phones don’t generally work this far up in the mountains.”

But he is a persistent man. “Think I could try anyway?”

I purse my lips.

“Please?”

He seems honest but I’ve seen this show before. Man plays desperate, woman falls for his boyish charm, never to be seen again.

I peek down at my dog, whose bark has always been a million times worse than his bite. The only thing this guy has to worry about is getting tackled and then subsequently licked to death all over his face. Or maybe his jawline.

He has a nice jawline.

I make a rash decision that he’s indeed not a threat and open the door for him, a questionable, “sure” squeaking out.  The smallest of smiles plays at his lips when he realizes he’s won.

“Thanks.”

He stands at the doorway as I retrieve my phone and when I hand it to him, he tries over and over and over again to call out, to no avail.

“Fuck.”

“Told you,” I say when he hands it back. “Are you lost? I can—”

“No I’m not lost,” he says with a snide huff. “I just . . . need some directions.”

I recognize defensive mechanisms when I hear them. “So, lost,” I reiterate with an eyebrow quirk.

“No,” he insists. “The GPS on my phone is shit with the signal up here in no man’s land, and I can’t just drive around until it’s strong again. I’m late as it is.”

“I see.”

Totally lost.



Jo Richardson
Coming Soon! Cursed be the Wicked
website: http://jrrichardsonfics.wordpress.com
facebook: www.facebook.com/JRRichardsonAuthor
twitter: https://twitter.com/JoFictionFreak


Please click on The Romance Review's poster on the right to join in the blog hop all month long. Over 400 participating authors, and prizes given away daily. It's great fun! 

Thursday Threads--Unsafe Haven by Char Chaffin

UNSAFE HAVEN
By Char Chaffin
Genre:  Romantic Suspense
Heat Level:  Sensual

Excerpt:

“Ah, Christ. You’re killing me.” He fumbled for the nearest wall, propped her against it, and took her mouth hungrily. She fisted her hands in his hair, nipping his full bottom lip. The kiss went deeper, and she could have sobbed from the glory of it.
They broke apart, both panting. Kendall slowly unwound her legs and Denn loosened his hold, letting her slide down his body until her feet touched the floor. She felt every hard muscle along the way.
“Hell.” He sucked in a shaky breath. “I don’t want to leave you here.”
“I’ll be all right,” Kendall lied. She wanted him to stay, wanted him in her bed, all night, and then she wanted to awaken in the morning, safe in his arms. They’d known each other less than two months, and she wanted forever.
I must be crazed with lust. That’s the only explanation.
“You know, you don’t have to stay here alone.” He caressed her cheek as he gazed at her, still pressed intimately against her. “You could come home with me.”
“Eventually I have to live here, Denn. By myself. I have to get used to it,” she pointed out.
“But not tonight, okay? Come home with me, Kendall. Stay with me, tonight.”
“We’ll end up in bed together.” It was a question and a statement.
He slowly nodded. “Yeah.”
She whispered into his shirt, “We’ll end up making love.”
“I can just about guarantee it.”
Fascinated by the strong, steady pulse at the side of his neck, she shuddered to think of what lay ahead, if she said ‘yes.’ Most of the shudders were from excitement.
He waited patiently in her dimly lit store while she battled inner demons he might never understand or be able to accept.
“Kendall . . .” His voice held a rough plea.
She took a deep breath and raised her eyes to his. “I should pack a few things.” She hesitated, and took the final plunge. “I’ll need my contact lens case, too.”
His smile, wide and happy, blinded her. “I can wait.”

Links:

Book Trailer for Unsafe Haven:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZJieck3U17Y&feature=youtu.be
My website: http://char.chaffin.com
Facebook: http://facebook.com/char.chaffin
Twitter: http://twitter.com/char_chaffin
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5337737.Char_Chaffin
Soul Mate Publishing:  http://www.soulmatepublishing.com/char-chaffin/

Please click on The Romance Review's poster on the right to join in the blog hop all month long. Over 400 participating authors, and prizes given away daily. It's great fun! 

'Tis The Season

For the past few very long days, I've been involved with switching over the greeting cards in my grocery job from Halloween to Christmas. Thanksgiving cards get shoved aside to make way for cards for everyone anyone could possibly know. We've got cards for the relatives, from Mom and Dad to Grandmas and everyone in between. We've got religious cards, romantic cards, funny cards, across the miles cards(the only category that makes sense, in my book). It's all well and good, I guess, but I shake my head every year at how early Christmas merchandise comes out of the back room and onto the store floor.

Until this year. I am participating in my first-ever anthology! It's a Christmas anthology called All I Want For Christmas Is A Soul Mate. In addition to a pretty cover, there are twenty short stories included, in various genres and heat levels. Mine is called "This Old House" and I'm previewing an excerpt from it here today. We're planning a blog hop, where you can jump from one excerpt to the next, which will happen later in the month. But, the anthology goes on sale through Amazon this week!

Here's a hint of what you'll find in "This Old House."

 
"Tell me again why we're participating in the Historic Homes Christmas Tour?" Beth's assistant, 
Hannah, asked as she fastened pine boughs to the 
banister and draped the fireplace mantle. She added 
wide velvet ribbon, winding it in between the branches. "Six months without so much as a nibble of interest 
on this place is enough reason. So we're putting on
the lady's party clothes and showing her off during the town's 
Christmas tour," Beth replied. "Such a lovely home. 
Brings back memories for me."
"You and this home had a connection even before you 
bought it and renovated?"
The snippet of history flashed through Beth's mind and 
made her smile. "I know the family 
who owned this house. Which reminds me, where's the 
mistletoe I bought?"
"Quit being cryptic. What's mistletoe got to do with 
anything?"
Beth pointed to the small entry foyer. "The very first kiss 
of my life happened in that spot, under some mistletoe."So, kick back in front of a warm fire, have some hot chocolate, and read this lovely collection of stories as the holiday season officially gets underway. Oh, and find someone to kiss under the mistletoe!

Thursday Threads--The Highlander's Accidental Bride

 
The Highlander’s Accidental Bride (Book 1 in the Highlander’s Bride series)
by Cathy MacRae
Historical Romance set in the Highlands of Scotland, 1375

Heat Scale: Sensual
Wed at the king’s command, they entered a marriage neither wanted. Realizing he married the wrong woman, can Laird Scott forge a lasting bond with his new bride and put a long-standing feud to rest?

Excerpt:
“Ah, Eaden.” Ranald’s raised voice brought the earl to a halt.He turned. “What?”“There may be a problem with your, er, wife.”“I saw her with the servants.” Eaden scowled at the memory. “I’ll speak to her about her duties.”“Och, ‘tis no’ the problem.”“Then what is?”“She’s no’ yer wife.”“What do ye mean?” Eaden bit out the words. Damn the Barde wench! What kind of trouble had she stirred up in the two weeks he’d been gone? Ranald squared his shoulders. “I mean, ye married her, but she isnae the woman we thought she was.”“What!”“The day after ye left for Troon, yer bride came running from yer bedroom all in a panic.” He tossed Eaden a wry look. “I wasnae too surprised about that. She kept telling me she wasnae Miriam.”“What are ye talking about?” Eaden ground out in a voice growing thin with impatience.“She swears she isnae Miriam Barde, but Mary Marsh, Lady Miriam’s companion.”Eaden’s face flushed hot with anger as he digested the news and considered the ramifications. “The woman is lying. She has fought me tooth and nail from the beginning. The treacherous wench is trying one last time to put an end to this marriage.” He glared at Ranald, daring him to disagree.“Nay,” Ranald replied evenly. “You dinnae see or hear her that day. She was pale and trembling. I dinnae think she was lying.”Eaden didn’t bother to answer. He spun on his heel and strode down the stairs and into the castle, looking for the woman who was turning his life upside down.
LINKS
Soul Mate Publishinghttp://www.soulmatepublishing.com
Amazonhttp://www.amazon.com/The-Highlanders-Accidental-Bride-ebook/dp/B00BMFPT12
Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/pages/Cathy-MacRae-Author/349522085132210?fref=ts

Layering

It's that time of year in Northern Ohio--sweaters come out of the drawers, extra blankets go on the beds, thermal undies get unpacked. Winter's in the air (and on the ground, if you live east of Cleveland. Surprise!)

Frankly, I like to layer on clothing. A thermal undershirt, a sweater, a jacket. At various times during the day, I'll strip off one or two layers, but keep them at the ready when I need to throw them back on again. Kind of reminds me of the way I write...

Every author I know uses a different process for writing. I just saw a video chat with Julia Quinn where she revealed she writes in circles. She's constantly going back to what she wrote the day before and fixing it before she continues on with her story. One of my critique partners writes various scenes when they come to her, and holds them in a separate folder until they fit into the story line. Me? I write in layers. I begin with a flash first draft, usually devoid of any sensory imagery and details. My main concern is to just get the story line down, to make sure it starts in the right place and that there's enough conflict and depth for a complete story. Once that's done, and I'm about 15,000 words below my goal, I go back to the beginning and start again. I have my sensory checklist and my overused word list and I go scene by scene through the document, checking things off, adding things in--putting an additional layer onto the story.

When the boring checklist portion is over, I'll go back over it again, starting at the beginning and just read it. Things jump out at me that are unexplained, or awkward, and I fix them. I also add more detail to the scene and try to paint the picture that's in my head with words on the paper--another layer.

By my third or fourth pass through my book, it's pretty well fleshed out. Layers of warmth have been added to the skeleton I started with, and the word count is where it should be. If I've over-embellished some of the story, I can remove that section, or if it needs more, I'll add details. While creating the skeleton is the fun part, adding layers creates the depth and conflict that any good romance needs.

So, curl up by a roaring fire when it gets cold outside. Throw a cozy afghan over you, maybe invite the dog into your lap and prepare to be warmed, inside and out, with a good book.