Sunday, November 27, 2011

Who do you want beneath the Christmas tree?

Thor. Yum. 'Nuff Said.

All wrapped up in nothing but a big red bow lounging beneath my Christmas tree? Oh yeah. It's the hair, the scruff, the muscles, and oh yeah the attitude. The cocky swagger, the deep laugh.

Sigh...

You? What fictional character, book or movie, do you want lounging beneath your Christmas tree in nothing but a big red bow?

Today's giveaway: (1) Dark Desires of the Druids: Murder & Magick (2) $10 B&N gift certificate--leave a comment to enter to win!

Susan Macatee
Caroline Clemmons
Nicole McCaffrey

Saturday, November 26, 2011

Favorite Christmas Song

You have to have one, so what is it? Are you the classic type? Frank Sinatra and Bing Crosby

The new renditions? Amy Grant, Jessica Simpson

The quirky ones? I want a Hippopotamus for Christmas, Dominick the Donkey, Snoopy vs. The Red Baron

Religious ones? Hark the Herald Angels Sing, Silent Night

My choices are 1, 3, 4...I do not like Amy Grant, she ruins every song she redoes with her sleepy voice and even tempo. As for other remakes, there's something about the classic version you grew up with that makes it the best.

What about you? What are your favorites?

Today's giveaway: Shadow State--leave a comment to enter to win!

Susan Macatee
Caroline Clemmons
Nicole McCaffrey

Friday, November 25, 2011

Holiday Stories: Blog Hop Weekend

Let's face it, holiday stories are awesome. Well, I like them at least. As early as July there are Christmas stories. But every year a new crop springs up--series, individual stories, one-offs--you name it and there's a Christmas theme.

Why?

Are they as popular as they seem to be? There are a number of types of Christmas stories; sweet, sexy, humorous. What binds them? The tradition of Christmas and the holiday spirit. A lonely girl any time during the year is bad enough in a romance, but during Christmas? Horrors. But by finding her hero during the holiday season makes the romance all the sweeter.


Today's giveaway: a Victorian fan and a copy of Dark Desires of the Druids: Murder and Magick (e-book or print your choice)--2 winners, so leave a comment to enter to win!

Susan Macatee
Caroline Clemmons
Nicole McCaffrey

Monday, November 21, 2011

Things I'm grateful for

I recently heard that of the top 3 things people are grateful for, technology is #3. I'm very grateful for technology, don't get me wrong--it allows me to keep in touch with family and friends distance and the general business of life have made it difficult to keep in touch with.

But in my top 3? Hmm, interesting. I'll leave it off the list for now. I'm grateful for:
Health
Family
Work--both the job and friends I've made in my time here
Writing career
Online writing friends--I may never have met you in person but don't think I don't appreciate you!

What are you grateful for?

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Guest: Rebecca Royce

I have actually had my ideal dinner.  It happened five years ago.  My oldest son, now six, was just under one year old when my husband and I decided to take a trip to Europe.  (Yes, I am insane. I did spend a ton of time on the trip longing for my baby who was back in the States with my parents.) But I digress…

We went to Paris and London. Paris first with a stop over afterwards in London before we went home.  One of our first nights in Paris we ate at a restaurant called Guy Savoy.  To this day, it is probably the best meal I have ever had.  But, even beyond that, the whole evening was like a magical dream. 

We were in Paris, eating the best food I’d ever put in my mouth, and feeling like we were in a dream.  This was, ironically, not my only trip to Paris. I had been before and hopefully will get to go again.  But nothing will ever replace how extraordinary that night was and that incredible dinner.

For me, it was a life experience I’ll never forget.  As a friend of mine once said “a life memory.”
A life memory, I like it! It doesn't matter how many times you've been to a place, it's the memories that count. Thanks for sharing, Rebecca!

Blurb:
Eighteen years earlier, Charma lost her destined soul mate. Convinced he must be dead, she kept her fears to herself so as not to destroy the morale of the Outsiders who already live with a shaky prophecy as their only guide.
Dr. Jason Randall is a man used to getting what he wants. There has never been a problem he couldn't out think or a situation he wasn't capable of handling.
Now they are both hunted by not one but two demons as they lead the slowly forming group of Outsiders out of the darkness and back into the light. The two strong souls will have to decide if prophecy alone is enough reason to stay together through insane odds...or if love is their true fate.

Excerpt:
Jason shook his head. This wasn't going to be easy. Maybe her arrival was a good thing. Maybe she was another piece of the puzzle he needed to solve his dilemma. "Self-loathing, the woman I've invented to come here and cause me tremendous pain as a way to punish myself for killing a man who assaulted me in the parking lot." Jason gestured around the hillside. "This whole thing is one giant guilt trip."
Standing up, her eyebrows pressed inward, and she held a confused look in her eyes. They seemed to be searching for something but he wasn't clear on what.
Finally, she spoke. "Listen to me very carefully. So much of what you just said makes no sense to me and we have zero time to sort it out. I'm not sure how to convince you that what I'm about to tell you is the absolute truth but it is. This is not some grand illusion. Not really."
"That's just what a falsehood that didn't want to be proven wrong would say."

About Rebecca:
As a teenager, Rebecca Royce would hide in her room to read her favorite romance novels when she was supposed to be doing her homework. She hopes, these days, that her parents think it was well worth it.

Rebecca is the mother of three adorable boys and is fortunate to be married to her best friend. They live in northern New Jersey and try not to freeze too badly during the winter months.

She's in love with science fiction, fantasy, and the paranormal and tries to use all of these elements in her writing. She's been told she's a little bloodthirsty so she hopes that when you read her work you'll enjoy the action packed ride that always ends in romance. Rebecca loves to write series because she loves to see characters develop over time and it always makes her happy to see her favorite characters make guest appearances in other books.

In Rebecca Royce's world anything is possible, anything can happen, and you should suspect that it will.

Monday, November 14, 2011

Monday Monday

First, I'm over at Unusual Historicals talking about pets in the Victorian Era. Well, dogs mostly.

Second, The Scandalous Victorians are doing a Black Friday Blog Hop Extravaganza! Interested? If so, answer the following questions:
  1. Do you write in the years between 1837-1901 on any continent on Planet Earth?
  2. Do you have something to give away? Book (e- or otherwise), gift card, swag?
  3. Do you have the time to post not only a short blog about the era, Black Friday, Thanksgiving traditions, or Holiday shopping? AND put up the rest of the stops on this weekend long hop?

If you answered YES to the previous three questions, then welcome! Drop me an email so you can be added to the list.

Friday, November 11, 2011

Friday Guest: Liia Ann White

First off, big thanks to Isabel for having me today! My pleasure, Liia Ann. And I have to say, I love your 10 things! Not a fan of chick lit movies, either. Classic romances, yes. Action with a believable romance, yes. Today's nerve-grating, embarrassing chick-lit? Nope. Alas, I think we're in the minority given the popularity of both the books and movies.

When I was asked to do this post about 10 things people don’t know about me I was a bit stumped and wondered if I could come up with 10 things – I’m a very honest person – if you ask something, I’ll give you an honest answer. In cases like this my honesty backfires.

1.    I had my first short story published when I was 15.
2.    I have a handbag obsession. It’s the most girlie thing I indulge in – if I see a gorgeous handbag, I just can’t pass up buying it.
3.    I’ve never eaten pork. And now that I’m Vegan, I never will.
4.    I LOVE sharks, especially Great Whites. I’ve been swimming with sharks before (sometimes not on purpose) and one day will go on a cage dive with Great Whites.
5.    I have vitiligo – the disease that causes depigmentation of the skin. Luckily I’m so pale that it’s not particularly noticeable from a distance. But up close (and to me) they’re clearly visible.
6.    Of the 26 years I’ve been alive, I’ve slept in the same bedroom for 23.
7.    I saw a UFO when I was 10.
8.    I saw a ghost/demon thing when I was 16.
9.    I didn’t have my first haircut until I was 5. I was almost bald until then.
10. I LOVE horror movies and HATE chick flicks. A bit odd for a romance writer right? But if you put a chick flick on, I’ll leave the room. I do not enjoy romance films at all.

Blurb:

Elora’s parents mysteriously disappeared when she was fifteen. She vowed to find answers – discover what really happened to them. But after twenty-five years of travelling the world she has come up empty handed. Feeling tired and lonely, she settles down in the city her best friend, Caleb, calls home. To lead a regular human existence for a while; like he does.

One problem; they’re not human. They’re Different – a rare supernatural race known for their beauty, strength and supernatural abilities.

Elora is lead to a man by a series of visions. Cue Kadin; powerful, sexy and also Different. He is her match – her soul-mate. Her life has never felt so complete.

But it’s not all good news. Elora must now deal with a rogue demon Elder hell-bent on taking over Lucifer’s reign over Hell. To succeed she needs to steal Elora’s power. When she’s facing the fight of her life, can Elora really trust Kadin?
Excerpt:
After a morning of wandering around the house, getting used to the surroundings again, I needed air. Walking through the woods that surround the house, I inhaled deeply. The fresh scent of pine, moist dirt, and running water filled my nose. Being surrounded by nature was relaxing. Birds chirped in the distance and animals scurried away as they heard me coming.

Only a few steps in, I found the large eucalypt I'd been looking for. My parents planted it here for me, so I would always have a piece of Australia with me at this house. In Perth, eucalypts grow everywhere. The expansive bushland behind our home was a virtual eucalypt forest. With a push of energy to my legs, I jumped and flew to the top branches of the sixty-metre high tree. Nestling against the trunk, I closed my eyes, listening to the leaves rustling in the light breeze.

In complete peace, I watched the sun set on the horizon. Beautiful shades of orange, pink, and yellow danced through the wispy clouds surrounding the city. Though nothing compared to the beauty of home, this came pretty close.

The air temperature cooled quickly once the sun disappeared. Around me, owls hooted, other birds fluttered, and rodents ran from tree to tree. Leaning forward, I looked at the ground, preparing to return to the house when my phone rang in my pocket. It was Caleb.

I flipped it open, and Caleb's voice came loud. "Where are you?"

"Where am I, exactly? Sitting on top of a tree in my back yard."

Author Bio:
I’m an Aussie writer, born and bred in Perth, WA.

I love all things paranormal. I spend my childhood daydreaming about far off lands and living in my own little fantasy world. I watched shows like ’Unsolved Mysteries’ and read books on witchcraft, fairies, demons, ghosts and all other sorts of supernatural creatures, including mutants (I love X-Men).

I’m a complete geek and collect Disney and Star Wars memorabilia.

When not writing, I can be found reading, playing video games or spending times with my adorable doggies.

I’m a big animal lover and vegan. I live in Perth with my family, which includes two adorable dogs, two birds and a handful of feisty fish.

I’m always interested in meeting new people, so drop me a line!
Links:

Goddess Fish Blog Tour Partner

Goddess Fish Blog Tour Partner
Goddess Fish Blog Tour Partner