C.D. Hersh's Blog, page 154
October 27, 2015
Wednesday Special Spotlight Bewitching Desires: A Savannah Coven Anthology
Shines on
Bewitching Desires: A Savannah Coven Anthology
By
Rebekah R. Ganiere, Tami Lund, Niki Daninger, Jennifer Ray, Danielle Donaldson, Sheri Williams, Michele Mohr, Maria Arell, A. E. Snow, Andra Shine, Sonja Fröjdendal, and Kay Blake
Blurb: Twelve Paranormal Stories of Love, Hate, and Desire. Bewitching Desires, The Savannah Coven Anthology, is packed full of Witches, Warlocks, Werewolves, Ghosts, and even a Reaper. All based around the great holiday of Samhain – or, as mere humans call it, Halloween. The witches of the Savannah coven are all preparing themselves for their favorite holiday, but on the night when humans and spirits collide, nothing ever goes as planned.
Journey with an angel across the country, with a reaper chasing a soul hiding in someone else’s body, to a haunted hotel, with a reluctant supreme witch who’d rather give her powers to someone else, not to mention eight other wild and intriguing encounters.
Twelve interwoven tales from bestselling and up and coming authors will have you wishing Samhain came more than once a year…
iBooks Buy Link Amazon Buy Link Barnes & Noble Buy Link
October 26, 2015
Sizzle In The Snow newsletter post
#3
Sizzle In The Snow:
A Soul Mate Christmas Collection
SIZZLE IN THE SNOW: A SOUL MATE CHRISTMAS COLLECTIONEight steamy romances by eight Soul Mate Publishing authors . . .
This Christmas season, Soul Mate Publishing and editor, Char Chaffin, presents Sizzle In The Snow: A Soul Mate Christmas Collection, an anthology available November 25th on Amazon and Soul Mate Publishing. The featured authors and their stories include:
Beth Carter http://bethcarter.com/, Santa Baby
Amy Deason https://amydeason.wordpress.com/, Second Chances: A Christmas Story
Crystal Firsdon http://crystalfirsdon.com/, ‘Twas the Crazy Night Before Christmas
CD Hersh https://cdhersh.wordpress.com/, Kissing Santa
Kim Hotzon http://kimhotzon.com/, The Snow Bird
Ryan Jo Summers http://www.ryanjosummers.com/, Tamed by Christmas
Tina Susedik http://www.tinasusedik.com/, Operation Santa
Cheryl Yeko http://www.cherylyeko.com/, Christmas Eve Surprise
Welcome to our third newsletter/post in celebration of the release of Sizzle In The Snow: A Soul Mate Christmas Collection. Get ready as we unveil new surprises with each newsletter post, coming every ten days!
Follow this blog, any of the other authors blogs or subscribe to a newsletter. Inside you’ll find great decorating tips, recipes and cocktails, excerpts, craft ideas, song links, holiday memories, and personalized cards and poems by the authors!
Book Corner
We promised a sneak peek, so here goes . . .
Author Kim Hotzon gives an excerpt of their short story,
The Snow Bird!
Standing beneath him, she caught a glimpse of his butt encased in his jeans. He wore a navy fleece jacket and a matching hat. Even dressed like this, it was evident Tony had a sculpted, God-like physique. Her pulse raced as she pictured him naked, reclining on a sheepskin rug in front of a roaring fireplace. Or wrapping a white towel around his waist as he came out of the shower . . .
Lauren was startled when Tony nearly stepped on her hand. She had been so lost in thought, she hadn’t realized he’d almost descended the ladder.
“You all right? No need to be concerned,” he said. “It’s a small job. I need to cut a piece of wood and fit it in across the hole.”
She hadn’t expected he would work so quickly. How to devise a way to keep him around longer? “I was about to make a pot of coffee . . . can I bring you a cup?”
Tony hesitated, tucking a lock of hair under his fuzzy hat. His brown eyes were liquid, kind and warm. “Sure.”
Cocktail Corner
Busy shopping, wrapping and socializing?
Kick back with a festive cocktail!
Recipe shared by Cheryl Yeko!
Candy Cane Cocktail
Ingredients
1 shot vanilla rum
1 shot white chocolate liqueur (recommended: Godiva)
1 shot peppermint schnapps
Candy cane, garnish
Add all liquid ingredients to cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake well and strain into martini glass. Garnish with candy cane.
Holiday Memory Corner
Tina Susedik has a wonderful holiday memory to share . . .
All four of my grandparents came over from Germany after WWI, and, of course, spoke German as well as English. As my siblings and cousins grew up, we learned a few words of German.
One Christmas when my parents were particularly short of cash for gifts, my mother decided to teach my two older sisters and me to sing Silent Night in German. I was six, my two sisters 8 and 10. We sang in three part-harmony. This would have been 1958.
I remember standing in the doorway between my Grandma’s parlor and living room. We were surrounded by aunts, uncles, cousins (there were a lot of them), and my two sets of grandparents. My mom played the piano. The room was dead silent. Everyone stared at us. Then we started singing (OMG. I’m starting to tear up as I write this). When we finished, tears were running down the adults’ faces, but none more than my grandparents.
This became a tradition whenever we were at my grandparents’ farm for Christmas. One year I had a cold, developed laryngitis, and couldn’t sing. I cried and cried as Barb and Pat sang without me. We’d had this dream of becoming the next Lennon Sisters and I ruined it.
Music Corner
Listen up! Crystal Firsdon shares her favorite holiday song:
I’ve always liked my Christmas music rocked up, so I’m partial to Mannheim Steamroller. Here’s one of my Christmas favorites, Carol of the Bells.
Craft Corner
Feeling crafty? Ryan Jo Summers shares a festive DIY craft:
My DIY craft is felt snowmen. Super easy to make and fairly quick. They do not require lots of expensive items either. This would be a super project to work on with the kids.
Start with various sized bottles or jars. Mine all came from white bottles: supplements, OTC medicine, etc… Almost any round object would work. Also, white felt, black felt, orange felt. Amounts will be based on sizes of bottles and number of snowmen to be made. Lastly, glue. Elmer’s school style or hot glue are both fine.
First, glue white felt around the empty bottle or jar. Then glue black felt around the top for a hat. Length will depend on overall desired size of hat. To make the hat brim, cut a hole in the center of a black felt circle slightly larger than the bottle’s/ jar’s diameter. Pull over bottle/ jar and glue in place.
Lastly, add googly eyes, orange felt nose and cheeks. Tie ribbons (Christmas design or not) around hat and/or body. Use puffy paint to draw a mouth and outline the nose. If you have a tall enough snowman, glue some buttons under the mouth to indicate a torso.
Viola! All done!
Recipe shared by Amy Deason
Ingredients:
2 (10 ounce) packages vanilla baking chips
1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract
1 1/2 cups crushed candy canes
1 dash red or green food coloring
Directions:
Line an 8 inch square baking pan with aluminum foil, and grease the foil.
Combine the vanilla chips and sweetened condensed milk in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir frequently until almost melted, remove from heat and continue to stir until smooth. When chips are completely melted, stir in the peppermint extract, food coloring, and candy canes.
Spread evenly in the bottom of the prepared pan. Chill for 2 hours, then cut into squares.
Decorating CornerTime to bring out the mistletoe! CD Hersh has some great decorating tips!
Decorate your Christmas Table
Catherine loves to set a pretty Christmas table, which she changes yearly. (She has a thing for dishes.) She also loves napkin rings, which are often expensive. To satisfy her dish decorating habit, she came up with a quick and easy way to brighten up her Christmas table using last year’s Christmas cards. You have them right? Doesn’t everyone?
Here’s what you need:
Christmas cards
Clear drinking glass (which will allow you to see the pattern on the Christmas card) or other circle template. A 2 ¼ to 2 ¾ diameter works best.
A marking pen or pencil
Scissors
Craft knife
Ribbons-cord or ¼ inch satin works best. Coordinate them to match your cards or go wild with colors.
Directions:
Position the glass or circle template on the Christmas card, choosing the part of the card you want to use as the base of the napkin ring.
Draw around the outside edge of the glass. Cut out the circle. With a craft knife cut two slots in the circle, spacing them about ¼ of the way from the edges of the circle. Thread a pretty ribbon, long enough to circle your napkins and tie a bow, through the slots. Slip the ribbon around your napkins, tie your bow, and you have a festive napkin ring for your holiday table. If you want to get even fancier, glue some lace or gathered ribbon to the back of the greeting card circle and cover it with another circle. Slit both front and back circles and slid the ribbon through. Tie the ring onto your napkin and enjoy.
Like this easy table decoration? You can adapt it using any themed greeting cards and have tailor made napkin rings for any occasion. If you add your guests’ names, the napkin rings double as name cards.
Holiday Card/Poem Corner
What’s a holiday without a personalized poem by one of your favorite authors? Author Beth Carter shares this delightful and heartfelt poem:
Christmas Tree Angel
By Beth Carter
Bejeweled with strands of pearls
Feathered birds and twinkling lights;
Glittering ornaments and velvet bows
Encircled our tree with delight.
Plump snowmen and toy soldiers
Carefully placed just right;
Shiny Red and Green Packages
Completed the joyful sight.
The most special gift of all
Topped our majestic tree;
A frayed, embroidered angel
Handmade by Mommy and me.
Of course, as authors we love our readers, and we couldn’t pass up an opportunity to offer swag, free books, and a grand prize which will be awarded to one lucky blog/newsletter follower! For a chance to win these prizes,
follow and join the author’s blogs!
Don’t miss our upcoming Facebook launch party with tons of goodies to giveaway! Follow the authors’ blogs for a sneak peek of this wonderful collection! (FB launch date TBA).
October 22, 2015
Friday Features Seduction of Cinema Rachel Sharpe
Welcomes
Rachel Sharpe
Today we have with us author Rachel Sharpe the writer of the Jordan James, PI Series. She is sharing some interesting highlights about the cinema that relates to her newest book Bitter Retribution.
However before she does I (Donald) want to take a moment to talk about this newest book of the series. Having read Bitter Retribution, the third book in the Jordon James PI series, I can say that the story fully reveals Jordon’s feelings about her boyfriend Rick, and investigative partner Jon. These are characters you can love to follow because they are believable in their faults and uncertainties. Just be sure to not start reading the book without enough time to finish before bed time. LOL You will not be able to put it down.
Now I’ll turn the post over to Rachel.
THE SEDUCTION OF CINEMA
Many people are drawn to the Hollywood lifestyle. Everything about southern California, from its glamorous attractions to outdoor activities, cause people to flock there. Many do so with the hopes of making it big – to become a star. While very few achieve this goal, it’s still a dream many are willing to take a chance on.
It’s hard to pinpoint the exact reason for Hollywood’s allure, but the closest conclusion I’ve come to is fantasy. In Hollywood, anything goes. Tinsel town is filled with fame and fortune, all there for the taking. Reality rarely makes an appearance when one can live in a multi-million dollar mansion, eat at five star restaurants daily, shop on Rodeo Drive, and get paid to perform.
I’ve visited California a few times and am fortunate enough to know some people who work in the movie industry. When you’re in Hollywood getting an insider’s view, it’s hard not to become swept up in the fantasy. When you live the life of a famous actor, it’s easy to become detached from the “real world.” And what better place to solve a crime than in a land where make believe is reality?
BITTER RETRIBUTION BLURB
“What started out as a star-studded vacation has turned into a sensational avalanche...”
When private investigator Jordan James decided to join her best friend on the set of her hit television series in the Rocky Mountains, she had no idea she would become a key player in a murder mystery more suited for the big screen than the slopes. With one actor dead and a killer on the loose, can Jordan uncover the culprit before another victim makes headlines on Hollywood Minute?
“BITTER RETRIBUTION” Available Now on Amazon!!! http://www.amzn.com/B015YS0O94
Also Available in the Jordan James, PI Series – COLD AMBITION and LOST DISTINCTION!!!
BITTER RETRIBUTION EXCERPT
“Don’t let your tears flow,” she insisted passionately from the screen. I glanced up and saw Roch and Nikole embracing while the KGB closed in on them. Slowly, a crescendo of brass arose as Roch and Nikole fought gallantly to their deaths. The credits began and I glanced at the clock. It was ten.
“What garbage,” I laughed aloud, grinning at the thought of meeting Roch Turner the next afternoon. I turned off the television and stretched. Yawning, I walked into my bedroom. After doing one more double-check, I was satisfied I had not forgotten anything. I got ready for bed before climbing beneath my heavy, down comforter and closing my eyes. Sighing contentedly, I thought with excitement about seeing Heather for the first time in six months, skiing in the Rockies, and watching a hit sitcom being filmed. This is going to be the best Thanksgiving ever, I thought happily. pushing images of Rick from my mind.
As I succumbed to the tranquility of slumber, eagerly awaiting a much-needed vacation, I had no idea of the depth and complexity of the situation in which I would soon be enmeshed. I had no idea of the sheer magnitude of the vendetta in which I would find myself, a senseless dispute which began years before my own birth. If I had, I would have ripped my flight itinerary up into a million tiny pieces and stayed in the warm haven of my bed.
COLD AMBITION
“It was my life-long dream to become a private eye. Little did I know that with my very first case, that dream would become a life-threatening nightmare…” When Jordan James decided to embark on a career as a private investigator, she never could have imagined that a chance encounter would lead to her staring down the barrel of a gun on the roof’s edge of a high-rise building. As she begins to investigate her first case, the puzzling murder of a prominent businessman that has left Boston’s finest mystified for more than two decades, she finds herself suddenly immersed in a treacherous underworld brimming with betrayal, raw greed, and political subterfuge of international proportions. In the midst of this, she discovers she is falling for her mysterious client despite the hints of his dark past. Can this feisty Southern girl with a penchant for trouble solve this baffling case or is she doomed to become another tragic chapter in an international conspiracy? “COLD AMBITION” Available Now on Amazon! http://www.amzn.com/B00L2OLQPG/
LOST DISTINCTION
“It all started with a favor…” When private investigator Jordan James agreed to search for the missing son of a U.S. Ambassador, she didn’t realize she was walking into a case one hundred years in the making. The deeper she delves into this unusual assignment, the more shocking, and the more dangerous, it becomes. With time running out and lives at stake, Jordan must race to identify the culprit of an elaborate plot while also uncovering a far more personal truth too intimate to ignore… “LOST DISTINCTION” Available Now on Amazon! http://www.amzn.com/B00Q5OGCS4
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Rachel Sharpe is the author of the Jordan James, PI series. Although born and raised in the South, “Yankee” relatives first led Rachel to historic New England, which she has come to consider her second home and is the setting for the series.
After obtaining a Bachelor of Arts in English, Rachel began dedicating her free time to her childhood passion, writing, and in the fall of 2013, she signed with Soul Mate Publishing. An active member of Sisters In Crime, Rachel currently resides with her husband in the Greater New Orleans area.
Check Out Rachel’s Sites to Keep Up with Jordan James!!!
Website: http://www.rachelsharpe.com/
Facebook: www.facebook.com/authorrachelsharpe
Twitter: www.twitter.com/RachelCSharpe
Thursday Threads The Widow’s Walk
Presents
The Widow’s Walk
Paranormal Romance
Sexy, Heat Level 3-4
(available in ebook and print)
http://www.amazon.com/Widows-Walk-Carole-Ann-Moleti-ebook/dp/B00PHYCLHY
Blurb:
Mike and Liz Keeny are newlyweds, new parents, and the proprietors of the Barrett Inn, an 1875 Victorian on Cape Cod, which just happens to be haunted. By their own ghosts. The Inn had become an annex of Purgatory, putting Mike, Liz, and their infant son in danger. Selling the historic seaside bed and breakfast was the only answer, one that Liz and her own tortured specter refused to consider. Were they doomed to follow the same path that led to disaster in their previous lives? Was getting out, getting away, enough?
Excerpt:
Look, for now, we’ll just stay where we are–together. If Liz and Mike are united, then Jared and Elisabeth aren’t going to be able to get in between us.” He brushed the tears off her cheeks.
She stared at him intently, fear, maybe desperation in her eyes. “We can only talk to each other about this. Others might use any information against us.”
“Who would do that, Liz?’
Her demeanor hardened. She sat up, raised her chin. “My son. Your daughter. Sandra.”
“You’re paranoid. The kids have no inkling about ghosts. All Sandra has are theories. She doesn’t know about your incident–or my illness. And I’m not going to tell her.” Guilt twanged in his gut. Sandra had come up with all the ghostly interpretations on her own, right?
Liz jumped up. “She knows about my injury. Maybe not how it happened, but when Mae went in there to get my things, she figured out it was for me. She reads minds, or manipulates people into blabbing what they know.”
Mike lowered his voice to a whisper. “It doesn’t take much for Mae to spill information. I think you’re giving Sandra too much credit.” Yet, she did ask him about the ghosts as soon as he sat down.
“You can joke all you want, Mike, but this is serious. We can’t let anyone else in.”
“I won’t say a word about anything ghostly to anyone. As long as things stay under control.”
Liz studied him.
Mike squirmed. “I think I’m going to take a nap.” He settled back on the sofa.
She tucked the blanket around him and kissed him on the cheek. “I’ll go help Mae with dinner.”
She didn’t believe him. He didn’t trust her. This was never going to work.
Author Bio
Carole Ann Moleti lives and works as a nurse-midwife in New York City, thus explaining
her fascination with all things paranormal, urban fantasy, and space opera. Her nonfiction focuses on health care, politics, and women’s issues. But her first love is writing science fiction and fantasy because walking through walls is less painful than running into them.
Carole’s Cape Cod paranormal romance novel, The Widow’s Walk, was published by Soulmate. Her urban fantasy short stories have appeared in the Toil, Trouble and Temptation Anthology and Haunted, Bites, Beltane, and Seers, all part of the Ten Tales series. Her review and commentary, memoir excerpts and creative non-fiction have been published in a variety of literary venues.
Buy Link
Where to find Carole:
http://amazon.com/author/carolemoleti
http://caroleannmoleti.blogspot.com/p/the-widows-walk.html
https://www.facebook.com/caroleannmoleti
http://amazon.com/author/carolemoleti
plus.google.com/103609323247390103301
https://www.goodreads.com/goodreadscomCmoleti
http://www.pinterest.com/caroleannmoleti/
October 20, 2015
Wednesday Special Spotlight Cupid’s Angels Erin Bevan
Focuses on
Cupid’s Angels
By
Erin Bevan
Erin is giving away a free audible copy of Cupid’s Angels to one lucky commenter.
Blurb for Cupid’s Angels
Ellie Childs isn’t looking for love. She’s looking for an AC repairman for the Forest Wood Senior Center. But when the repairman happens to be tall, dark and handsome, David White, he has the goods to make her change her mind. Unfortunately, he’s taken by a blonde Barbie.
David moved to the small town of Cupid, Arkansas to be closer to the woman he loves, his grandma, and as far away as possible from his ex fiancé. Not thinking his broken heart would ever work again, he’s proved wrong by falling for Ellie, a good-looking redhead. She’s the farthest thing from his ex as he can get, but as luck would have it, she’s taken, and the guy she’s seeing’s a real jerk.
When David’s grandmother, Mary Costanza, see’s the instant attraction festering between David and Ellie, she calls on the help of her three friends. Together they form Cupid’s Angels. Their mission, to bring David and Ellie together. Despite their best efforts, the Angels’ plans backfire and push David and Ellie farther apart and into the arms of others. Or so they think.
Will the Angels’ good intentions win out, or will their plots and schemes be the end of David and Ellie before they could even begin?
Excerpt:
She opened her office door ready to face the damages. Expecting another sweat covered Neanderthal in Bib Overalls, her mouth fell slack at the sight of a handsome man at the end of the hall. She gasped and gripped the folder tighter, blinking to make sure she was seeing clearly. The only attractive men that ever walked into the Center had been over the age of fifty. To see one so young, so striking, made her light-headed.
A tight white undershirt gripped sculpted bicep muscles and broad shoulders. His jeans hung low on his hips and sported holes in the knees. His suntanned skin accented his bronze hair, and an easy smile spread across his face. He carried a toolbox in his left hand and held a bouquet of roses in his right.
Everything about him caused her knees to go weak.
Amazon Book Link
Bio
Erin Bevan was born and raised in Southwest Arkansas. She spent her teenage years working for her aunt at the local gas station flipping burgers and making milkshakes dreaming of the day when something better would come her way.
Fast forward ten years later, she found herself stuck inside an apartment in South Korea while her daughter went to preschool and her husband went to work. Alone and unable to speak the local language she turned to books for a friend. After reading a few hundred in such a short time, she decided to try her hand at writing one.
That first one sucked, but by the fifth and sixth book, Erin started to get the hang of this writing thing. Getting the first contract in the mail was a dream come true. Now, with three babies at home, she squeezes in stories one word at a time, one sentence at a time, one day at a time. She’s a full time mom, a full time wife, with a little writer sprinkled in whenever she can get the chance.
Where to find Erin:
www.facebook.com/erinbevanwrites
https://www.twitter.com/ErinBevan
Erin is giving away a free audible
copy of Cupid’s Angels to one
lucky commenter.
Comments must be left before 10 AM EST tomorrow.
October 19, 2015
Tell Again Tuesday Show Don’t Tell: Dialogue
A blog series where we shamelessly share posts from others that we have enjoyed.
Writers Cheat Sheets
Secrets, Shortcuts, Tips, and Practical Advice on Writing Fiction
Tuesday, September 1, 2015
September 2015 — Show Don’t Tell: Dialogue
#9 Revision is a Process
This is Part 9 of a 12-part series on Revision is a Process @ 2015 All Rights Reserved
Are you writing the dialogue of fiction or of the reporter?
(Paraphrased from William Noble’s “SHUT UP! HE EXPLAINED, A WRITER’S GUIDE TO THE USES AND MISUSES OF DIALOGUE)
I would amend that quote to: “Are you writing the dialogue of fiction or of the reporter or of an English teacher?
You see, dialogue, whether spoken words or an internalization, should . . .
For the rest of the blog go to:
http://writerscheatsheets.blogspot.com/2015/09/september-2015-show-dont-tell-dialogue.html
October 15, 2015
Sizzle In The Snow newsletter post #2
#2
Sizzle In The Snow:
A Soul Mate Christmas Collection
SIZZLE IN THE SNOW: A SOUL MATE CHRISTMAS COLLECTION
Eight steamy romances by eight Soul Mate Publishing authors . . .
This Christmas season, Soul Mate Publishing and editor, Char Chaffin, presents Sizzle In The Snow: A Soul Mate Christmas Collection, an anthology available November 25th on Amazon and Soul Mate Publishing. The featured authors and their stories include:
Beth Carter http://bethcarter.com/, Santa Baby
Amy Deason https://amydeason.wordpress.com/, Second Chances: A Christmas Story
Crystal Firsdon http://crystalfirsdon.com/, ‘Twas the Crazy Night Before Christmas
CD Hersh https://cdhersh.wordpress.com/, Kissing Santa
Kim Hotzon http://kimhotzon.com/, The Snow Bird
Ryan Jo Summers http://www.ryanjosummers.com/, Tamed by Christmas
Tina Susedik http://www.tinasusedik.com/, Operation Santa
Cheryl Yeko http://www.cherylyeko.com/, Christmas Eve Surprise
Welcome to our second newsletter/post in celebration of the release of Sizzle In The Snow: A Soul Mate Christmas Collection. Get ready as we unveil new surprises with each newsletter post, coming about every ten days!
Follow this blog, any of the other authors blogs or subscribe to a newletter. Inside you’ll find great decorating tips, recipes and cocktails, excerpts, craft ideas, song links, holiday memories, and personalized cards and poems by the authors!
So, let’s get started!
Book Corner
We promised a sneak peek, so here goes . . .
Author CD Hersh gives an excerpt of their short story, Kissing Santa!
Anna Noel studied the trim backside of the Santa standing in front of her. He appeared younger than most of the Santas at the Santa Claus conference she’d chosen to attend this year. A lot more attractive than any Santa she’d ever met. For the briefest of moments she let her mind wander, lingering on ‘Christmas Wish Number Nine.’
Make love to Santa.
A heated flush climbed her chest as she envisioned the scene, and she flapped the jacket of her green elf costume to cool down.
Her gaze traveled over his hips, chest, and to the beginnings of a snow white beard; then to his shock of silver hair underneath the white-trimmed, red Santa hat.
Yep. Definitely a Santa she wanted to know. Too bad she wouldn’t be the elf to his mall Santa. They could have gotten acquainted. And more.
The conference registrar drew her out of her Christmas fantasy with a loud, “Miss? Are you with this Santa?”
“What? No. I don’t have a Santa. I’m here alone.”
Sexy Santa turned and held out his hand. “Me, too. I’m Sam S. Klaus.”
A smile curled her lips as she took his hand. “As in Sam Santa Claus?” His warm palm sent tingles through her fingers as he gently squeezed them.
He flashed a slightly lopsided grin. “You have the same warped sense of humor as my parents.” He gave her a mock bow. “Sam S. for Santa, and Klaus, with a K.”
“That’s your real name?” He’d let go of her hand. She fought to keep from grabbing it back. A real Santa Klaus? How great was that?
“The same, and you are?”
“An—” She stopped, suddenly unwilling to reveal her name. A rollercoaster of emotions raced through her, suggesting she might hit number nine with this Santa. If she did, and it didn’t go well, she wouldn’t want Sam Klaus to know her real identity. “An elf who needs a Santa,” she hedged. “How about we team up? I’ll be your personal elfette, and you can be my Santa.”
Cocktail Corner
Busy shopping, wrapping, and socializing?
Kick back with a festive cocktail!
Recipe shared by Tina Susedik!
Tom & Jerry
Ingredients:
6 eggs
1 1/2 pounds powdered sugar
Cream of tartar
Cloves
Allspice
Cinnamon
Nutmeg
Rum
Brandy
Separate eggs. Beat yolks and white separately. Add a dash of Cream of Tartar to whites before beating. Beat yolks until frothy and whites until very stiff. Combine. Gradually beat in 1 1/2 pounds of powdered sugar. Add a dash of cloves, allspice, and cinnamon. Put batter in cup. Add shot of brandy and 1/2 shot of rum. Add boiling water to top of cup. Top off with a dash of nutmeg.
Recipe Corner
Company coming over? Author Beth Carter dishes up her favorite holiday recipe:
Pumpkin Rum Cake
1 yellow cake mix 1 15 oz. can of pumpkin
3 eggs
½ c rum or ½ c coconut rum (I like the coconut rum.)
½ c chopped pecans, toasted (Sometimes I skip the toasting!)
Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Combine the cake mix, pumpkin, eggs and rum. Beat on low speed to blend, then beat on medium speed for two minutes. Fold in pecans and pour batter into greased 12-cup Bundt pan. Bake for 45 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean. Cool for 20 minutes and turn onto serving platter. Frost with Orange Glaze (yummy). See below.
Orange glaze:
¾ c powdered sugar
2 T plus ½ tsp orange juice
1 T orange zest
Mix powdered sugar, orange juice and orange zest until smooth. Spoon glaze over top of cake allowing it to run down the sides. Enjoy! We enjoy this for Thanksgiving, Christmas and throughout the fall.
~Beth Carter
Holiday Memory Corner
Ryan Jo Summers has a wonderful holiday memory to share . . .
Many years ago I married a man who had custody of his two sons, six and three. We wanted this first Christmas as a family to be very special for everyone, so we headed to the closest Toys R’ Us with lots of cash and left the kids with Grandma.
Hubby and I were like kids ourselves as we both pushed our carts up and down the aisles, discussing which child would love what present the best. We wrapped and decorated and couldn’t wait to see the boys on Christmas morning. The presents were piled so high and far out, we could hardly reach the tree to plug it in. But it was all worth it when the kids came downstairs that first morning and exclaimed we must have bought out the whole toy store!
Music Corner
Listen up! Amy Deason shares her favorite holiday song:
Title: All I Want For Christmas Is You
By Mariah Carey
Song Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yXQViqx6GMY&list=RDyXQViqx6GMY
Craft Corner
Feeling crafty? Kim Hotzon shares a festive DIY craft:
Holiday Ornament Ball
When my children were young, we spent many weekends crafting homemade ornaments for our tree. This is a simple craft that is inexpensive, and makes a great gift too!
Supplies:
scraps of fabric (the more festive pattern the better but plain greens, reds, whites, stripes, etc. work well)
festive ribbon (for handle)
glue gun
glue sticks
foam balls from craft store
Steps:
Cut squares of fabric and wrap around foam ball. Glue in place with glue gun. You may need to cut different sizes of squares to fit the ball, depending on the size. Smooth fabric in place with your fingers. Leave a little opening at the top of the ball and insert a loop of ribbon, securing under the fabric with the glue gun. Press down, hold for a minute until glue sets.
Decorating Corner
Time to bring out the mistletoe! Crystal Firsdon has some great decorating tips!
There’s always a theme to what I do: easy and simple. For years, I never knew what to do with the Christmas cards I received, so I stood them on any available vertical surface. As you can imagine I had to re-stand them up every day and sometimes several times per day, and they made my tables and shelves looked cluttered. Finally I came up with a solution: cards on a ribbon. (In my mind I’m the one who invented this, but a lot of you probably do this already)
First, I cut a 3-5 foot piece of cute, wide Christmas ribbon.
Next, hang it from a higher shelf by taping the top of the ribbon to the flat surface of the shelf. I place a Christmas picture over it, making sure it covers the tape. I’ve learned that several cards are heavier than you might think, so use a lot of tape.
As I receive Christmas cards, I simply staple each card to the ribbon. If I get more than expected, I hang another ribbon.
One reason I love this is because I’ll find my kids opening the cards to read them and see who they’re from. I also like that the funny cards are mixed with the more serious and sentimental cards. It totally fits my family’s hodgepodge decorating style!
Holiday Card Corner
What’s a holiday without a personalized card by one of your favorite authors? Author Cheryl Yeko sends her holiday greetings:
Of course, as authors we love our readers, and we couldn’t pass up an opportunity to offer swag, free books, and a grand prize which will be awarded to one lucky blog/newsletter follower! For a chance to win these prizes, follow and join the author’s blogs!
Don’t miss our upcoming Facebook launch party with tons of goodies to giveaway! Follow the authors’ blogs for a sneak peek of this wonderful collection! (FB launch date TBA).
Thursday Threads Carly Jordynn Forest of the Mist Awakening
Presents
FOREST OF THE MIST: Awakening
By
Carly Jordynn
GENRE: YA Fantasy Romance
HEAT LEVEL: 3
BLURB:
Upon awakening from the coma that put her in the alternate realm known as Paradise Valley, Jennifer Burke Kyle discovered her infant son was half-grown, had some rather unique powers, and was the new leader of Paradise and the adjoining Dark Land. If that wasn’t enough to make her want to go back to sleep, she finds her dead husband, David Kyle, has ordered a complete stranger, Alex McGuire, to marry her and raise her young son as his own. Together, Alex and Jennifer, with the help of Davy, must escape the agents of PRI, a government research group, in order to protect the still comatose, Colin O’Brien.
AMAZON BUY LINK: http://www.amzn.com/B012T8JT5W/
EXCERPT:
“What?” Jennifer said. “I’m not ready to be married to you. I don’t even know you.”
Alex had had just about enough of her routine. “Listen, sweetheart, it’s no picnic being with you either. I’m tired of trying to live up to your lofty expectations. I’m not David Kyle, nor would I want to be. I’m doing this all for you, to protect you and Davy. A little gratitude would be welcome.”
“Excuse me?” Anger flashed in her eyes. “You are darn lucky that I even give you the time of day. You overbearing, egotistical control freak.”
“Control freak!” Alex shouted weakly. “Are we back to that song and dance again? Can’t you come up with some original material? I’ve busted my ass in order to help you, and you have the nerve to say I’m controlling you?”
“Oh, what a load of crap, Alex! You are not doing this for me or Davy. You are doing it for Lily.” Jennifer spun away from him in disgust.
Alex wanted to pound something in frustration, but he could barely move his arms. “For crying out loud, Jennifer, Lily isn’t here. She married Connor. They moved away. Lily has nothing to do with this. If she did, I would already be in Texas. I’m here with you because I want to be with you.”
“You do not know me!” she shouted.
“Because you won’t let me get to know you!” Alex countered.
Alex stopped speaking. His face turned red. Spots appeared before his eyes, and he had a hard time catching his breath. He saw Jennifer back away from him as the machine he was hooked up to began to scream. A team of doctors rushed into the room and began working on him. Alex felt himself begin to fade and then he was gone.
ALSO BY CARLY JORDYNN:
FOREST OF THE MIST: Travelers http://www.amzn.com/B00ND8C3RE/
SASHA BISHOP: Retired Slayer http://www.amzn.com/B00O99U4V8/
CARLY’s SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS:
www.facebook.com/carlyjordynn777
www.pinterest.com/CarlyJordynn
http://carlyjordynn.blogspot.com/
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7200409.Carly_Jordynn
October 13, 2015
Wednesday Special Spotlight Heather In The Mist a Scottish Historical
Shines on
Heather In The Mist
Back Cover Blurb:
Forced to wed to save her clan, Lady Rogan Cameron agrees to wed without love. What her father doesn’t know is Lady Rogan has plans of her own—plans to keep her from a loveless marriage. Can she save the clan before she has to say “I do?”
Ian Albright abolished all ties to Scotland after his family betrayed him and he is now nursing a wounded ego due to an unfaithful fiancée. He pledges never to return to his home until the fateful day he accepts an invitation to his dear cousin’s wedding. The minute he sees his cousin’s betrothed, his heart is captured. If only she didn’t belong to another . . .
Lady Rogan and Ian have known each other since they were young and bent on vexing each other. Now, the only thing they find vexing is the fact Rogan is betrothed to another. Together they fight their growing attraction while investigating the forces bedeviling the clan. Yet at every turn their foe appears and wreaks havoc. When tragedy strikes, their hopes are dashed again.
Can Lady Rogan and Ian’s love win when fate seems determined to keep them apart?
Buy Link: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B015EFRB6G/
Author Bio:
Madelyn Hill has always loved the written word. From the time she could read and all through her school years, she’d sneak books into her textbooks during school. And she devoured books daily. At the age of 10 she proclaimed she wanted to be a writer. After being a “closet” writer for several years, she sent her manuscripts out there and is now published with Soul Mate Publishing. And she couldn’t be happier!
A resident of Western New York, she moved from one Rochester to another Rochester to be with the love of her life. They now have 3 children and keep busy cooking, watching their children’s sporting events, and of course reading!
Social Networking Links:
Website: http://www.madelynhill.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/madelyn.hill.94
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AuthorMaddyHill
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/madelynhill68
October 12, 2015
Tell Again Tuesday Casablanca: Unconditional Surrender and a Strategic Error
A blog series where we shamelessly share posts from others that we have enjoyed.
Casablanca: Unconditional Surrender and a Strategic Error
Like so many people, the movie Casablanca is at the top of my favorites list. 
It is set in 1941 when Morocco was still under the control of the Nazi collaborating Vichy government in Unoccupied France. In the final scene, Rick and Captain Renault walk off arm and arm into the fog, leaving the viewer to wonder what kind of trouble they will get into as they join the resistance. What the movie makers could not have known was . . .
For the rest of the blog go to:
https://historyimagined.wordpress.com/2015/09/18/casablanca-unconditional-surrender/
