C.D. Hersh's Blog, page 155
November 25, 2015
Sizzle in the Snow Newsletter Post
#6
Sizzle In The Snow:
A Soul Mate Christmas Collection
Available for pre-order
Sizzle in the Snow: Soul Mate Christmas Collection of Eight steamy romances by eight Soul Mate Publishing authors . . .
This Christmas season, Soul Mate Publishing and editor, Char Chaffin, presents Sizzle in the Snow: Soul Mate Christmas Collection, an anthology available December 2nd 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 sixth newsletter in celebration of the release of
Sizzle in the Snow: Soul Mate Christmas Collection.
Check your inbox every ten days for each 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 Cheryl Yeko gives an excerpt of her short story, Christmas Eve Surprise!
She swung her legs back around and gave his chest a hard shove so she could get down, but he didn’t budge.
“Move,” she said with a glare. Trying not to admit to herself how good it was to see him again. He hadn’t changed. Except his crystal clear blue eyes were now clouded with worry. His full mouth pinched, a tense expression on his oh, so handsome face. His wavy dark hair was shorter than she remembered, but his sexy square jaw still looked as stubborn.
Staring into her eyes with a determined look, Steve slid three fingers between the buttons of her winter coat and lightly rubbed her belly. His other hand tucked a loose curl behind her ear. “Afraid not, sweetness. We need to talk.”
Her breath caught at both the feel of him touching her, and the sound of the endearment she’d thought never to hear again, bringing back all kinds of wonderful memories. But the hurt from his abandonment ran deep and she focused on that, and not on how great he looked or how good he smelled.
“There is no ‘we’ and I have nothing to say to you.”
Liar! She’d spent the last six months, two weeks, and a day thinking about nothing but what she would say to him if she ever saw him again. But now that he was here, standing before her, all she could think about was how she’d missed him, and how she wanted to run her fingers through his dark, wavy hair, just like she used to.
Pathetic!
But the way he looked at her with those piercing blue eyes still made her insides quiver and her breath catch. His well-muscled body was just as powerful as she remembered. And that mouth . . . God, the things he could do with that mouth.
The babies took that moment to start moving around again, and her belly undulated under his fingers. Dropping his gaze, Steve sucked in a deep breath and took a small step back. He brought both hands up to cradle her belly on the outside of her coat as the babies continued to play.
When his gaze rose to meet hers his eyes were filled with wonder, and just like that, her heart expanded with a feeling of love and affection for him.
Before she thought better of it, she said quietly, “I’d like you to meet your sons.”
Cocktail Corner
Busy shopping, wrapping and socializing?
Kick back with a festive cocktail!
Recipe shared by Crystal Firsdon:
I don’t drink but once every few years or so. The last time I drank was because I went to a wine party and found myself in possession of a bottle of wine afterward. It took me a month to drink the darn thing because I only had one glass every Saturday evening for 4 weeks. And by glass, I mean coffee mug. I don’t own a wine glass. The only reason I was able to get the cork out was because I found a very old Swiss Army knife of my husband’s that happened to have a cork screw on it!
So for my Christmas cocktail, I asked my mom. Here’s what she gave me:
Hot Holiday Toddy
1 shot of rum
5 oz. ginger ale
Mix it in a holiday themed mug and microwave for 20 seconds.
Repeat every half hour until you’re in the holiday spirit.
Holiday Memory Corner
Amy Deason has a heartwarming holiday memory to share . . .
My husband and I started dating in January of 2011 and by June of that same year, we knew that we belonged together. So in October 2011, we moved in together. One of my most favorite holiday memories is of Christmas 2011.
It was wonderful. The children and I baked cookies for Santa while Shaun kept sneaking in and stealing them.
Snuggled together on the couch, nibbling Christmas cookies and drinking got cocoa, we watched Christmas specials including Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, Frosty the Snowman, It’s Christmas Charlie Brown, and A Christmas Story.
Before bed, gathered on the floor beside the Christmas tree that we had decorated together, Shaun read The Night Before Christmas. Tucking the kids into bed, we knew they were so excited for Christmas morning. And we were too. We had a wonderful little family.
The next morning, the kids ran into our room and pounced on the bed, their voices happy and excited. We wanted to sleep in but there was going to be none of that with 3 kids on Christmas morning. What were we thinking, sleeping in?
One by one, we took turns opening presents and I, of course was taking a million pictures. While the kids and Shaun (the big kid that he is), played with all of the toys, I made a breakfast of pancakes, sausage, bacon, and eggs.
It was one of the most wonderful and special moments of my life. One that I will carry with me forever.
I hope that everyone has at least one holiday memory like this.
Merry Christmas,
Amy Deason
Recipe Corner
Company coming over? Author Kim Hotzon dishes up her favorite holiday recipe:
Homemade Cranberry Sauce
1 12 ounce bag frozen or fresh cranberries
1 cup white sugar
1 cup orange juice
lemon zest
Rinse cranberries and place in saucepan along with sugar and orange juice. Add 2 teaspoons of lemon zest. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat and cook mixture, stirring constantly, until cranberries ‘burst’, about 10 minutes. Lower heat and continue stirring until mixture thickens (approximately 10 minutes). Remove from heat and place in serving bowl. Garnish with lemon zest. Serve at room temperature. *Leftover cranberry sauce can be refrigerated for several days afterward.
Music Corner
Listen up! Ryan Jo Summers shares her favorite holiday songs:
Titles and Song Links:
Gloria Excelsis Dao link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MLS6qZt9WLQ
Sleigh Ride https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OATi34PKNPw
Winter Wonderland https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J5daQbThsDU
Snoopy vs The Red Baron https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oxzg_iM-T4E
Craft Corner
Looking for a simple craft to do with your children or grandchildren? Feeling crafty?
Beth Carter shares an easy to do, festive DIY craft:
My DIY is filling Pringles cans with home-made cookies and wrapping the cans with festive Christmas paper. I saw this suggestion on Facebook and think it’s a great idea!
Decorating Corner
Time to bring out the mistletoe! Tina Susedik has some great decorating tips!
Decorating Idea: This one is very simple. Find a pair of skates – or like I did, use one that hasn’t seen ice in years. Tie the top of the laces together for hanging. In the skates, place pine cones, pine branches, holly, berries, etc. to decorate. You can use real or those found in craft stores. Hang on a door. I place mine on the wall beside our entryway door.
Holiday Card
What’s a holiday without a personalized card by one of your favorite authors? Authors CD Hersh share their holiday wishes:
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 was awarded to one lucky blog/newsletter follower!
Congratulations to our grand prize winner Brooke Patricia! Several other winners were chosen for free gift cards, books and prizes!
Grand Prize
Thank you to everyone for joining our Facebook Launch Party on November 19th!
If you missed the party, don’t worry! You can still enter giveaways and pre-order a copy of Sizzle in the Snow: Soul Mate Christmas Collection by visiting and following the authors’ blogs! Follow the authors’ blogs for a sneak peek of this wonderful collection!
November 23, 2015
Tell Again Tuesday Ways to Jumpstart Your Creative Slump
A blog series where we shamelessly share posts from others that we have enjoyed.
Ways to Jumpstart Your Creative Slump by M.L. Callahan
What does a writer do when they get stuck? When the words aren’t flowing, the dialogue stinks, and the characters stop talking to us? Complete writer’s block? And I don’t mean stuck for the day, or burned out after writing thousands of words in one sitting. I mean, they’re stuck.
Capital S.
Their characters are . . .
For the rest of the blog go to:
https://shelleykwall.wordpress.com/2015/10/03
November 20, 2015
Special Announcement Sizzle in the Snow
About
Sizzle in the Snow
We had our Facebook book launch party Thursday November 19th. A lot of folks attended and some great prizes were awarded. Our giveaway winners were:
Tera Sindone, who won our Santa-themed giveaway package.
Brooke Patricia, who won an eBook copy of The Promised One, the first book in our paranormal romance series The Turning Stone Chronicles.
Brooke had a great night as she was the recipient of the grand prize worth over $100. Congratulations!
Just before the party we got the pre-order buy link for Sizzle in the Snow. Hop on over and take a peek at the blurbs from all the novellas. This is a great buy with eight Christmas themed stories for the price of one.
We’ve learned that Sizzle in the Snow has reached #158 in anthologies. WHOO HOO!
In case you’ve managed to miss our excerpt from Kissing Santa here it is again for your enjoyment. It’s a fun story, if we do say so ourselves.
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 get to know each other 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.
A lopsided grin slanted his cheek upward, and he flashed a brilliant smile. “You have the same warped sense of humor as my parents.” He gave her a mock bow. “Sam S., for Santa, Klaus, with a K.”
“That’s your real name?” He 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 said. “How about we team up? I’ll be your personal elfette, and you can be my Santa.”
Pre-buy link for Sizzle in the Snow
Night Owl Reviews Winter Wonderland Scavenger Hunt!
Originally posted on JessicaAspenWrites:
Winter Wonderland Book Lover Contest, $100 Grand Prize, Win Amazon Gift Cards
http://www.nightowlreviews.com
Look for The Dark Huntsman and win prizes!
Winter Wonderland Book Lover Contest
Winter Wonderland 2015 (NOV 20 – DEC 17)
Do you love books? Do you love Amazon Gift Cards?
You’re in the right place to find both!
#FindYourNextGreatReadHunt
1 – $100 Amazon Gift Card – Grand Prize
4 – $50 Amazon Cards
8 – $25 Amazon Gift Cards
35 – $10 Amazon Gift Cards
90- $5 Amazon Gift Cards
$1300 Prize Pool
And don’t forget to look for The Dark Huntsman! WOOT! Have fun everyone and best of luck to all!
Jessica Aspen
Fast-paced fantasy romance with fairytale happily-ever-afters
November 19, 2015
Special Announcement Sizzle in the Snow Party
Sizzle in the Snow Party
TODAY!
Launch party for the SMP Christmas anthology, SIZZLE IN THE SNOW 3-7 pm CST (4-8 pm EST). We’d love to see you there! The cyber party will be on our Facebook event page.
Here’s the link to join in the fun: https://www.facebook.com/events/1644447602494312/
SIZZLE IN THE SNOW: A SOUL MATE CHRISTMAS COLLECTION
Eight steamy romances by eight Soul Mate Publishing authors . . .
Grand prize is pictured below:
You must stop by for a chance to enter.
(Sorry, only folks with a lower 48 states address can win due to shipping costs.)
Don’t miss our upcoming Facebook launch party at https://www.facebook.com/events/1644447602494312/
November 17, 2015
Wednesday Special Spotlight Sizzle in the Snow Party
Announces
Sizzle in the Snow Party
Our launch party for the SMP Christmas anthology, SIZZLE IN THE SNOW, is tomorrow, 3-7 pm CST(4-8 pm EST). We’d love to see you there! The cyber party will be on our Facebook event page. Here’s the link to join in the fun: https://www.facebook.com/events/1644447602494312/
November 19, 2015
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
You could win this grand prize!
You must stop by for a chance to enter.
(Sorry, only folks with a lower 48 states address can win due to shipping costs.)
Don’t miss our upcoming Facebook launch party on November 19th (3-7 pm CST) (4-8 pm EST) with tons of goodies to giveaway! Party page is open so come by and find out a little more about the party https://www.facebook.com/events/1644447602494312/
November 15, 2015
Sizzle in the Snow Newsletter post
#5
Sizzle In The Snow:
A Soul Mate Christmas Collection
SIZZLE IN THE SNOW: A SOUL MATE CHRISTMAS COLLECTION of 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 fifth 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 Tina Susedik gives an excerpt of her short story, Operation Santa!
How much trouble can a man get into while trying to win back his estranged wife?
In this scene, David has received the package of goodies he’d ordered for his wife. Things don’t go quite the way he planned.
David’s hand hovered over the last package. Long and thin, it contained items from Marci’s book. Resting on top of everything was a pair of pink, fuzzy handcuffs. He tore the plastic off and placed them on the bed next to the book he’d left on the covers last night.
One of the bottles of massage oil smelled of vanilla, the other something exotic and spicy he couldn’t identify. Shots of desire swept through him. A candle in the same scent made his head swim.
“Wow. What the hell do they put in this stuff?” He reached down and gave Bubbles another neck scratch. “Do ‘ya think she’ll like this?”
The cat perked up when he pulled out a pink feather tickler. She jumped on the bed.
“No, you don’t,” David said, setting her on the floor. He put the tickler back in the box.
A leather flogger, nipple clamps, mask, and edible underwear lay on the bottom. Then something caught his eye.
“What the hell? I didn’t order this.” He picked up the invoice.
‘Please accept this holiday gift with our compliments.’
He tore open the plastic bag. Two men’s thongs stared up at him, one a reindeer with a strategically placed red nose. The other was a snowman with a carrot nose, obviously designed to hold a man’s johnson.
David eyed the items before him. Should he? He hesitated. Why the hell not? No one could see him.
He removed his tighty-whities and slipped on the snowman thong. He wasn’t too sure how he liked the strip of fabric running up his crack, but he had to admit the sight of his johnson stuffed in the carrot was pretty funny. He hoped Marci would think so.
He took the chaps, put the waistband around his hips, and snapped it in place. He tied the strips of leather on the leggings behind his thighs and calves.
“Not bad,” he said, eyeing himself in the dresser mirror. He raised his arms and flexed his muscles. Pumping iron was paying off. He sucked in his gut. Not a six pack, but no flab, either. He swiveled his hips to the beat of the song on the radio, then turned sideways for a glimpse of his bare ass. Nope, no droop.
In the mirror’s reflection, he saw the handcuffs. He wondered how the soft, fuzzy feathers would feel on Marci’s wrists.
After reading the instructions, David set the keys on the dresser, checked the quick release on both cuffs, attached one to a metal bar of the headboard and the other to his wrist. He imagined Marci’s arms stretched above her head, writhing in passion as he ran the tickler up and down her naked body. With the blindfold in place, she wouldn’t know what he’d do next.
His cell phone buzzed, interrupting his dreams. He reached for the phone, but with his right hand cuffed, he couldn’t quite grasp it.
“Ah, the quick release.” With his left hand David pressed the clasp on the cuff attached to his wrist. Nothing. “Dammit!” He tried the one hooked to the bed. No click. No snap.
“The keys!” He turned to the dresser.
A clinking noise stopped him.
“Bubbles, stop,” he yelled as the cat batted at the jingling keys. “Here, Bubbles. Here, pretty kitty.” The keys dropped to the floor.
Stretching his leg and big toe, he nearly reached them. The flogger would help, but before he could use it, Bubbles picked the keys up in her teeth. With her head and tail held high like a queen, she trotted from the room.
“Come back here! Dammit, get your furry ass back here.” He stomped his foot.
David squeezed his eyes shut until tears formed. Thoughts of starving to death when no one came to his rescue flashed through his mind. He’d be nothing but bones attached to pink, fuzzy handcuffs. What could be more embarrassing?
Cocktail CornerBusy shopping, wrapping and socializing?
Kick back with a festive cocktail!
Recipe shared by Amy Deason:
Christmas Cocktail
Ingredients:
1 shot of vanilla rum
1 shot white chocolate liqueur
1 shot peppermint schnapps
Candy cane garnish
Directions:
Add all ingredients to cocktail shaker filled with ice.
Shake well, strain into a martini glass
Garnish with crushed Candy cane
Recipe Corner
Company coming over? Authors CD Hersh dish up their favorite holiday recipe:
Holiday recipe
Grandma’s Sugar Cookies
By
C.D. Hersh
There’s an old ERA Potato Chip can that was handed down to Catherine by Donald’s family. The can always housed Grandma’s Christmas Sugar cookies. After Grandma’s death, her sons found a handwritten recipe for the cookies. When they discovered Grandma had written the recipe for Catherine, she got the can, the baking sheets, and even the leftover shortening Grandma used. Since Grandma’s death it has been Catherine’s job to fill that can—which she faithfully executes every Christmas, sometimes as late as Christmas Eve!
We hope you’ll enjoy this holiday treat as much as our family does.
Grandma’s Sugar Cookies
1 ½ cups white sugar
½ cup brown sugar
1 cup buttermilk (you can use 1 cup regular milk plus 1 tsp. vinegar if you don’t have buttermilk)
1 tsp. baking soda
3 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. vanilla
Eggs
4 cups flour or more to make a soft dough
Cream sugar, eggs, vanilla, and milk together. Add dry ingredients a cup at a time, mixing well until you have a soft dough. Cover the bowl, and let the dough stand overnight in the refrigerator. You can leave it in the refrigerator several days as long as it is tightly wrapped. On a floured board, using a floured rolling pin, roll out small portions of dough quite thin and cut with cookie cutters. Bake 5 minutes at 375 degrees. Cookies should be slightly browned on the bottom. Remove from the pan and cool on cookie racks.
NOTE: Grandma’s quite—thin directions are a bit tricky. We always roll a few, bake them, and then test eat to see if they are the right thickness. The cookie should be soft, but the dough well cooked. Naturally, it takes a few tries to get it right. About as many times as you want cookies to eat. J
This recipe makes a lot—if you don’t eat too many test cookies. J Enjoy!
Music Corner
Listen up! Kim Hotzon shares her favorite holiday song:
Given that I’ve spent many Christmases in Mexico, not only do I associate this classic song with Christmas, but I appreciate the snappy, warmth of the tempo and lyrics.
Title: Feliz Navidad by Jose Feliciano
Craft Corner
Looking for a simple craft to do with your children or grandchildren? Feeling crafty?
Cheryl Yeko shares an easy to do, festive DIY craft:
HOW TO MAKE VICTORIAN LACE ORNAMENTS
This is an easy way to update those faded out glass ornaments and end up with something pretty and old-fashioned for your tree.
You’ll need:
Old, faded or spotty round glass ornaments (the colored glass ornaments shows though the lace and are really lovely)
White or cream colored lace material (at least a half-yard)
A dinner plate
Pretty ribbon, strings of seed pearls, pretty buttons, tiny silk flowers, etc.
Glue gun and Glue
Very thin ribbon for hanging or clean white string
Lay the lace out flat on any surface, then set the dinner plate face down on the lace and using the plate as a pattern, cut around it. Cut as many as you need, one for each ornament you want to cover.
Place a tiny dab of glue on the bottom of the ornament and then stick it dead center of the lace. Bring the lace up the sides of the ornament to cover it, gather the lace at the top of the ornament, then use some thin string to tie it off. You can trim the excess lace at the top if there is too much, but you want some extra at the top to fluff out (see picture).
Now, use your glue gun and your imagination to decorate your lace ornament. You can loop thin bead strings all around in a scallop, you can glue on any kind of flowers or greenery, add pretty buttons in a pattern. Anything you want to make your ornament unique.
Lastly, thread some thin ribbon or cotton string through the wire hoop at the top of the ornament, and tie it off so you can hang it from the tree!
Decorating Corner
Time to bring out the mistletoe! Ryan Jo Summers has some great decorating tips!
A few decorating suggestions, back from my craftier days:
First, a taper candle centerpiece. A dollar store tray on the bottom, filled with Styrofoam ring. Insert 12 white taper candles. Fill with dollar store or craft store holly, rosebuds, cinnamon bundles, pearls, pinecones and greenery. Add anything that seems Christmas-y to you.
Second, cross stitch ornaments, stuffed with cotton batting and sewn/ glued to white fabric. Thick gold rope and red ribbon finish them off nicely.
Third, paper mâché ornaments. Bought at craft store. Paint in variety of colors. I used pastels for some and shiny bold primary colors for the others. When dry, run a bead of glue along the edge and adhere glitter or use glitter glue like I did. Either way works.
Fourth, ceramic Santa Claus and raccoon pair around a Christmas tree. I painted these back when I was in love with ceramics. Can be bought at craft stores and fairly inexpensive to paint a few items.
Fifth, not my design but similar to one I did. A tree bouquet. Mine was set in a pretty basket, with greenery and candy canes all around. Topped with a pretty ribbon.
Sixth, one I want to do as time allows. A horse head greenery wreath. Isn’t that too pretty not to want to make? I don’t have instructions but I’m betting it’s pretty simple, with greenery and wire mostly. And I also bet the instructions could be found online at some DIY blog. I find lots of great ideas on those DIY blogs.
Other decorating ideas I don’t do but have seen done well are:
to cover the pictures in the house or room with Christmas wrapping paper and pretty bows so they look like presents. They could be grouped or done singularly.
I love the look of presents so I save small boxes up like shoe boxes and wrap them in assorted paper and bows. At Christmas time, they make the room overflow with lovely presents. Afterward, they are an awesome place to store light strands, ornaments and surplus items. Then they all tuck carefully away in tote boxes in the garage till the next year.
Holiday Card
What’s a holiday without a personalized card by one of your favorite authors? Author Crystal Firsdon shares her holiday wishes:
You could win this grand prize! Follow the authors’ blogs for a sneak peek of this wonderful collection!
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, join the Facebook party and follow and join the author’s blogs!
Don’t miss our upcoming Facebook launch party on November 19th (3-7 pm CST) with tons of goodies to giveaway! https://www.facebook.com/events/1644447602494312/
November 13, 2015
Friday Features Kissing Santa C.D. Hersh
Spotlights
Kissing Santa
By
C.D. Hersh
When Sam S. Klaus, a professional Santa, has a fling with a beautiful elfette at a Santa Conference, he wants to make her Mrs. Klaus, but his intended disappears before Santa can pop the question.
Yes, our novella Kissing Santa is getting close to being released. In approximately two weeks the story will join seven other steamy Christmas stories by seven great Soul Mate Publishing authors in an anthology Sizzle In The Snow: A Soul Mate Christmas Collection. These stories and authors are:
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
Excerpt from 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 get to know each other 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.
A lopsided grin slanted his cheek upward, and he flashed a brilliant smile. “You have the same warped sense of humor as my parents.” He gave her a mock bow. “Sam S., for Santa, Klaus, with a K.”
“That’s your real name?” He 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 said. “How about we team up? I’ll be your personal elfette, and you can be my Santa.”
Don’t miss our upcoming Facebook launch party November 19th on Facebook with tons of goodies to giveaway! Follow the authors’ blogs for a sneak peek of this wonderful collection! Come join us now at https://www.facebook.com/events/1644447602494312/ where we are talking about the party, and get the details.
November 12, 2015
Thursday Threads The Highlander’s Reluctant Bride
Welcomes
The Highlander’s Reluctant Bride
By
Cathy MacRae
Genre: Scottish Medieval Romance
Heat level: Sensual
Determined to keep the Macrory clan’s holdings out of the clutches of marauding pirates, King Robert II sends his man, Lord Ranald Scott, to hold Scaurness Castle. There, Laird Macrory lays dying, awaiting word from his son who is missing on the battlefields of France. If the son is not found before the old laird dies, Ranald will take over as laird—and marry Laird Macrory’s headstrong daughter.
Lady Caitriona sees no reason she cannot rule the clan in her brother’s stead, and is bitterly disappointed with the king’s decision to send a man to oversee the castle and people. Not only is Ranald Scott only distantly related to the Macrory clan, but he was her childhood nemesis. She has little trust or like for him.
Her disappointment turns to panic when the king’s plan is completely revealed and she realizes she must wed Ranald. Pirates, treachery, and a four-year-old girl stand between her and Ranald’s chance at happiness. What will it take for them to learn to trust each other and find the love they both deserve?
Excerpt:
Absently Riona brushed a wayward strand of dark auburn hair from her face as she took two quick paces to catch up with him. The movement reminded Ranald of her as a child.
“I don’t suppose ye were too anxious to come here,” she said.
He formed a rueful expression. “Nae. ‘Twas no’ my first choice.”
“I know ye dinnae like it here. Ye always seemed relieved to depart.”
Ranald laughed. “‘Twas ye I dinnae like.”
Rather than take offence, Riona nodded again. “Nor I ye.”
“Ye were a difficult lass.”
She drew up short, staring at him. “Me? Difficult? All I ever wanted was to be included. Ye were forever running off, trying to leave me behind.”
Ranald did not check his pace. “Ach, we did let ye play sometimes.”
With a huff, Riona scrambled to his side. “Oh, aye. Ye let me play ‘princess.’ The princess ye kidnapped and held for ransom by tying me to a tree all afternoon.” She grabbed at her skirt again as she stumbled and caught herself.
Ranald paused and his horse tossed his head at his master’s sudden halt, but Riona didn’t slow her stride. With one long pace he was even with her again.
“And what about the time ye let me go fishing?” she tossed at him. “Except I had to sit in the bottom of the boat and use my skirt to hold yer catch. I smelled of fish for a week.”
Ranald chuckled and shook his head. “That wasnae me, lass.”
She bit her lip, and Ranald wondered why her straight, white teeth fascinated him so. He stared at the reddened mark her bite left behind.
“True,” she allowed. “Ye dinnae like the water, do ye?”
Ranald swallowed back his wayward thoughts. This was Riona, his childhood nemesis, not the sweet widow he’d left behind at Scott Castle.
He caught her sideways glance at him and realized he’d not answered her. “Nae. ‘Tis all that up and down and sideways motion. Makes my stomach churn.”
“How do ye intend to be laird of a people who live by the sea?”
“I cannae say if I’ll ever be much of a sailor, but I will be laird.”
BUY LINK: http://www.amzn.com/B00J1PNPPC/
Author’s links:
Website: http://www.cathymacraeauthor.com/
Twitter: @CMacRaeAuthor
Facebook: www.facebook.com/cathy.macrae.58
November 11, 2015
Veterans Day Remembrance
Ronald Reagan – Veterans Day Prayer
Today we take a step back from books to remember those who offered to give the ultimate sacrifice and those who did so that we might be able to live our lives in freedom. For without their willing sacrifices we would most likely not be able to enjoy the books we share throughout the rest of the year.
We hope you find this Veterans Day Remembrance as moving as we did.
