Christmas Wonder Hop

Celebrate the Wonder of the Season! Visit all of the blogs to see what they love most about the season and which books have made their Christmas wish lists! There’s a giveaway at each stop so be sure to visit them all!

To try for the Rafflecopter Grand Prize:  Entry-Form

I started a new tradition a few years ago, when I began hosting Christmas at my house the weekend before the actual day. For one or two nights, my family gathers together at our little cabin in the woods and we play, eat, laugh, eat again, open gifts, eat some more, and enjoy being together. #:0) We play basketball or broom ball on the frozen pond, put together a jigsaw puzzle (a family tradition), watch cheesy Christmas movies, and laugh together. For a couple of precious days, we have the time to unwind, visit, take long walks and play together. Although this event represents a significant amount of work to prepare for, I really look forward to spending quality time with my family that we don’t really have any other time of the year and I cherish the memories we’re building.

When I’m not hosting family during the holidays, I love to snuggle up in front of the fire with a great book. There are always so many great books to choose from, but I have my favorite authors. This year I’m looking forward to reading books from two of them: Josh Lanyon’s, I Spy Something Christmas and L.B. Gregg’s Mistletoe at Midnight.

Giveaway

What are your favorite Holiday traditions? Post your response here for a chance to win a $10 Amazon or Barnes & Noble gift card. I’ll select a winner after the hop and announce him/her here!  (Don’t forget to leave an email or I won’t be able to add you to the drawing)

 

Sometimes going home is clarifying. Sometimes it’s just plain deadly!

Adam travels to Candlelight, Indiana to visit his parents for Christmas. When he arrives he discovers somebody has killed a man and dumped him in the manger of the living crèche at the local church. Unfortunately, all signs lead back to Adam’s father as the murderer. A Sheriff with a grudge and a small town more interested in gossip than reality, convince Adam that it will be up to him and the gang to clear his father’s name.

Amazon.com: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00GTMQEKS

Amazon.ca: http://www.amazon.ca/Hoaley-Night-Hoale-Construction-Mysteries-ebook/dp/B00GTMQEKS

Amazon.uk: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Hoaley-Night-Hoale-Construction-Mysteries-ebook/dp/B00GTMQEKS

Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/oh-hoaley-night-declan-sands/1117542756?ean=2940148961826

All Romance eBooks: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-ohhoaleynight-1352639-149.html

Kobo Books: http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/oh-hoaley-night

 

THE AUTHOR: Declan Sands writes romantic paranormal/fantasy and mystery/suspense, creating stories that celebrate the joy of love in all its forms. Known for writing great characters, snappy dialogue, and unique and exhilarating stories, Declan is the award-winning author of 50+ books and has been writing for over a decade under several noms de plume.

Now on with the Hop!

I’m Thankful that I never have to watch St. Vincent again…

I’ll be the first to admit that I’m not always as thankful as I should be. Life happens, the world turns, and I’m always right there in the middle of all of it trying to pull it into some kind of order. My Type A personality is great for getting things done…but not so much for stepping back, indulging on introspection, and remembering what I’m thankful for. So I’ve strapped my butt in my chair and removed all mental and physical objects that might remind me of the dozens of tasks I still need to get done today…and I’m going to take the time to smell the turkey…erm…or something like that.  So, here goes:

I’m thankful that…

My loved ones, flesh and fur, are healthy and happy.

My computer still works, my car still runs, and my physical form remains in working order.

I never have to relive this year’s crop of bad and truly horrifying movies. Gah, Hollywood…just gah!

I discovered the A Cappella group, Pentatonix.

There’s another season of Walking Dead. Whoop, whoop!

I was able to keep my fingers firmly in my ears through all discussion of how gluten, and all my favorite things which contain the stuff, is bad…erm…lalalalalalala.

Christmas is still a month away.

I have no full length mirrors in my house.

The people who’ve read my books haven’t sued me for wasting their time.

I have a blog so I can expose the world to the drivel that is my mind.

That’s all I’ve got right now. Aren’t you glad? hehehe Happy Thanksgiving everybody! May your day be filled with lots of yummy stuff and a soft couch to catch you when you pass out from overeating!

 

Declan Sands writes romantic paranormal/fantasy and mystery/suspense, creating stories that celebrate the joy of love in all its forms.  Known for writing great characters, snappy dialogue, and unique and exhilarating stories, Declan is the award-winning author of 50+ books and has been writing for over a decade under several noms de plume.

 

 

 

 

My Sexy Saturday – Declan Sands

Sometimes going home is clarifying. Sometimes it’s just plain deadly!

Adam travels to Candlelight, Indiana to visit his parents for Christmas. When he arrives he discovers somebody has killed a man and dumped him in the manger of the living crèche at the local church. Unfortunately, all signs lead back to Adam’s father as the murderer. A Sheriff with a grudge and a small town more interested in gossip than reality, convince Adam that it will be up to him and the gang to clear his father’s name.

Tina, The Novel Approach: “…these are some of the funniest, most colorful and sexy characters around. If this was what Declan Sands could do with them in 75 pages, I can’t imagine how great a whole novel would be.”

“I love this series! This book was incredibly sweet sexy and fun. There are some laugh out loud moments as well as some sigh and swoon.” ~ Donna, Goodreads Reviewer

~~*~~

“What was the sheriff doing here?”

Adam turned to find Dirk standing inside the garage, wearing only a rumpled t-shirt and a pair of baggy sweats. He was drinking a cup of coffee and looking delicious. “He was searching for the murder weapon.”

Dirk frowned. “He’s not giving up on the idea that your dad’s the murderer is he?”

Shaking his head, Adam said, “He has his reasons. I’ll tell you later, when we’re alone.”

He jerked his head toward the door into the house. Reaching up with a grin, Adam very deliberately hit the button to lower the door and then, as soon as they were hidden from view of the street, leaned in and captured Dirk’s soft, coffee-flavored lips. He moaned as their tongues touched…tangled, and pressed himself full-length against Dirk, enjoying the heavy fullness beneath Dirk’s sweats. When Adam broke the kiss he took Dirk’s coffee cup and sipped from it. Then he smiled. “Is Mink still terrifying the neighbor?”

Dirk laughed. “The woman was paper white when I came into the kitchen. She was so upset she didn’t even recognize me.”

Adam wrapped an arm around Dirk’s waist and started toward the door. “Let’s go say hello and then get out of here. We need to talk to Father Ignatius’ secretary before she leaves for the day. It’s Christmas Eve and I’m sure she won’t put in a full day.”

Buy eBook  Apple iStore  Buy Nook  Buy Kobo  Buy ARe  Buy Kindle  Amazon.uk  Amazon.ca

Other books in the series:

A Hoale Lot of Trouble
Hoaley Ill-Manored
Hoaley Inexplicable 

 

 Now Back to My Sexy Saturday!

Surviving the Holidays

Do you struggle with the hustle and bustle of the Fall and Winter holidays? Feel alone? Worry about the cost…in money and emotions…of jumping on the holiday treadmill? There’s so much pressure to celebrate–to love and be loved–during this time of year…it can all be a bit overwhelming. Though the spirit is pure, hope shines, and intentions are good, all the pressure to cherish the season can have exactly the opposite effect, turning you into a gloomy grumpus who just wants to huddle in a corner and sulk.

Company coming? That means days to weeks of preparation, cleaning, shopping and cooking. And the cost!  Parties to attend? It could mean too much to drink and/or the presence of some unexpected romantic tension when old loves or lovers intrude.  Gift giving? Don’t even get me started on that!

A lot of people suffer depression this time of year. Maybe they lost a loved one around the holidays…it’s not uncommon. Maybe they don’t have anyone to share the season of love with.   Or maybe they just think it’s much ado about nothing. Whatever the reason, it can be hard to deal with the almost frantic frivolity of the season. Feeling the pressure to enjoy the holidays, too many of us force emotions we don’t feel and/or overcompensate by doing too much.

So how do you cope if you’re not really feeling it…or even if you love the season but it exhausts you with its demands? The answer is simple…but maybe not easy.

Give yourself permission not to partake.

Wow. That sounds easy doesn’t it? It’s not. Telling people no who think they’re doing you a favor by forcing you to become involved can be really hard. They might even get mad at you. So be it. Explain why you don’t want to be included. Be kind. Know that they are probably pushing because they care about you. And rest assured that they’ll get over it.

But let’s be clear here. I’m not suggesting you hide in your room, slurping gruel in front of a meager fire, Scrooge-like. Don’t turn yourself into an outcast. And don’t neglect the people who love you. Just simplify. Meet friends at a favorite restaurant instead of cooking. Make simple, well thought out gifts instead of buying expensive stuff they’ll probably never use. Accept your emotions and look for positives. Approach the season in your own way, doing only what you think is right and fair. And I can almost promise that you’ll enjoy the holidays a whole lot more this year.

So get on out there and create your own celebration! Or stay in and read a great book by the fire. It’s totally up to you!

 

Sometimes going home is clarifying. Sometimes it’s just plain deadly!

Adam travels to Candlelight, Indiana to visit his parents for Christmas. When he arrives he discovers somebody has killed a man and dumped him in the manger of the living crèche at the local church. Unfortunately, all signs lead back to Adam’s father as the murderer. A Sheriff with a grudge and a small town more interested in gossip than reality, convince Adam that it will be up to him and the gang to clear his father’s name.

Susan, The Romance Reviews: “Declan Sands writes a beautiful, festive tale of family secrets and emotions, coupled with vivid descriptions of what Christmas is like in a small town where everybody knows everybody else. Once again the author weaves a spell of mystery, intrigue, romance, sex and friendship, all interspersed with wit and humor. This is a wonderful treat for the festive season of family bonding, friendship and danger beneath the surface of a small town and a definite must read, especially, if like me, you’ve read the rest of the series. Definitely well worth it.”

Amazon.com: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00GTMQEKS Amazon.ca: http://www.amazon.ca/Hoaley-Night-Hoale-Construction-Mysteries-ebook/dp/B00GTMQEKS Amazon.uk: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Hoaley-Night-Hoale-Construction-Mysteries-ebook/dp/B00GTMQEKS Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/oh-hoaley-night-declan-sands/1117542756?ean=2940148961826 All Romance eBooks: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-ohhoaleynight-1352639-149.html Kobo Books: http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/oh-hoaley-night

Big MM Romance Contest!

From Berengaria Brown’s blog:

Manlove Fantasies fall competition is underway and I’m telling everything in an interview today. Come visit and be sure you comment every day this month for extra chances to win the Kindle Fire HD with a book loaded on it from every author in the contest.

http://manlovefantasies.blogspot.com/2014/10/berengaria-brown.html

The summer may be over, but the heat is just beginning…

It’s that whimsical time of year again when the days grow shorter, the leaves are turning, and the fires are being lit. So why not make yourself comfy and spend your evenings snuggled up with some of the hottest MM romances around. Fall in love with the sexy men from some of your favorite Manlove writers. Join us daily to catch some amazing interviews, excerpts, teasers, and for your chance to win some MM magic of your own.
The contest runs from October 1st to October 31st. Each day a new author will be showcased, and each day you will have a chance to enter to win our grand prize of a brand new, just released Kindle Fire HD with an eBook loaded on it from every author in our contest. We will also be offering 2nd and 3rd prizes of swag/gift baskets with carefully chosen items from our wonderful authors.

So, come visit every day to discover which new book is being added to the Kindle and leave a comment to enter.
Rules of the Contest:

You may enter once per day, but only once per day. Each day the contest runs from 12:01am (PST) to 11:59pm (PST). Once that day has ended, no further entries may be added for that day. You must wait for the next day to enter again.

To enter every day, you MUST comment every day, on that given day. Any entries added after the 11:59pm (PST) cutoff time will not be entered.

You MUST leave your email address in your comment or we will have no way to contact you if you win. Any comments left without an email will not be considered.

You may only win one prize.

Winners will be chosen on November1st and announced on the blog.

Interview with Paranormal Romance Writer Sam Cheever

Sam Cheever dishes on what bugs…

ParaYourNormal

Today we interview USA Today bestselling author Sam Cheever, author of the Chasing Eros box set! Here’s a bit about Chasing Eros, and then, off to the interview:

The Chasing Eros box set includes three books featuring Cupids, the Gods of Love, and their struggle against their own weaknesses and magical interference to find love. Chasing Eros is set in a magical world that navigates between modern day Earth and golden Olympus–City of the Gods.

Book 1: Eros Unbridled

In the battle for true love, sometimes those who aren’t willing to fight sustain the most damage. [Click to Tweet]

Like generations of Cupids before her, Daphne Charissa is doomed to a long and loveless life. Tall, smart and sexy, Bion Chronos is everything she’s ever wanted in a man…and nothing she can ever have. The Fates have decreed that none of the Cupid race will ever know lifelong love. But…

View original post 845 more words

I’m Declaring this National Mind Opening Week

It seems that every time I go online I see where somebody has posted a preachy and judgmental post about some hot button issue, usually distilled down to a bumper sticker type statement that is far too simplistic to do anybody any good. The post will then be followed with lots of hatey comments agreeing/disagreeing with the post. I’m frustrated by this whole thing. Apparently it has become illegal/immoral/unforgivable to hold a different opinion on things.  We’re never going to fix the things that are wrong in our world unless we open our minds to the possibility that somebody else might know something we don’t. So I’m going to declare this National Mind Opening Week. In honor of this week, I’m going to go to a source I generally don’t trust/like and listen to what they have to say for a full 15 minutes. Then I’ll do the same thing tomorrow and the next and the next…throughout the week. I’ll strive to have an open mind as I listen/watch/read.

By the end of the week I hope I’ve learned something I didn’t know before. At the very least I’ll know I’ve cracked my mind open a tiny bit.

That’s always a good thing. Right?

Monday Musings – The Magic is Coming!

If you’re like me you love this time of year. It’s almost as if, with the gradual sloughing off of Summer’s sweltering temps, magic begins to rise. Magic is in the panorama of colors adorning the trees…in the memory-laced scent of burning leaves…and in the plethora of wonderful holidays on the near horizon. Have you ever wondered why there are so many holidays lumped into the space of 5 months? From October through February, we celebrate a holiday every month. These are all cool to cold weather holidays. Why is that? Is it because Summer is its own celebration? Maybe. We do have Memorial and Labor days marking summer’s beginning and end, but on the celebration scale these are fairly minor holidays. No, the real magic is in the Fall/Winter holidays. From the fun and playful energy of Halloween, to Thanksgiving’s celebration of our many blessings, the delightful expectation of Christmas, the new beginnings represented by New Years, and the love and loving represented by Valentine’s Day…Winter is chock full of fun and magic.

Maybe that’s to offset the bitter cold and annoying ice. But I don’t think so. I believe we’ve always been inspired by the peace and beauty of Winter. To me, snow covered ground and sparkling trees are a portal to a magic place. I embrace the fog of expelled breath on icy air. The sweet smell of a Winter-painted landscape. And the crackle of a warming fire inside a cozy cabin. I love it all. And I can’t wait to embrace it again.

Happy Winter everybody!

Monday Musings – This Thing Called Dieting

I’m fat. Not grossly fat. Like 2 seats in an airplane fat. But fatter than I should be for my height.

When I look in the mirror I see a round person staring back at me. Cheekbones are still there but they’re struggling mightily to be seen under the squish. Am I unhealthy? That depends on where you look for input. Some studies say that people with a little squish are better off than skin and bones types. I’m definitely not skin and bones but I don’t think I’m obese either. I have middle of the road squish. Still, it really doesn’t matter how fat I am if my clothes don’t fit or I feel like a beach ball rolling around the house. When the way I look gets in the way of my life, it’s probably time to do something about it.

I’m basically a very motivated person. If I set my mind to something, I generally put my nose to the grindstone and keep it there until I get the task done. (Or I have no nose left hehehe) So why is losing and keeping weight off so hard? Too much Estrogen? Slow metabolism? Squirrel storing fat for Winter? (My own personal favorite) Or just plain over eating? I’m probably like most of you. I don’t overeat on a regular basis. I have days when I eat everything that crosses under my nose (ooh, mouse, yum) and though I have great intentions, my energy output is sporadic.

Here’s the real issue though. I’m a food addict. I love food. I love the look of it, the taste of it, the smell of it. I love the feelings it gives me when I eat, the memories of family and fun it induces. Sigh… I just love food. But unlike other addictions, you can’t give food up. You can’t avoid it. All you can do is eat bland, tasteless, ishy stuff you would never touch if you had a choice. And you can only eat it in serving sizes as big as your little finger. Yum, sign me up. Add to that little bit of torture the fact that you also need to exercise, thus burning away the tidbit of food your diet allows you to consume and making you so hungry that, yes, even that mouse looks good.

In addition, your routines get all screwed up. You can’t enjoy that glass of wine at night anymore. Popcorn at the movies? A distant memory. And a visit home is pure torture, because your always skinny sister, niece and nephew-in-law can eat pretty much anything they want without ever gaining weight. I hate their guts.

Sigh… No wonder this dieting crap is so hard.

Do I ever wish I was a zombie, able to eat and eat and eat and never gain weight? Yes. Do I HATE people who can eat whatever they want and not battle their weight. Oh mama do I!

Yesterday I tried to eat my fingers with a little salt. I don’t know how much longer I can hold on.

But I’m trying…

Pray for me.

Monday Musings – Here we go Again!

Farmer’s Almanac is predicting another bitter Winter season.

Really?

What have we done to piss you off, Mama Nature? Whatever it is, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to do it. I’ll never do it again. blah, blah, blah.

Last year was our first year living in the hilly landscape of Southern Indiana and I really thought all the hills and trees were pretty.

Gawd I’m stupid.

Our driveway is like a roller coaster ride at a major amusement park. It starts with a short flat spot to throw you off and then, as you clear the curve in the drive surrounded by trees, plunges downward at a breathtaking rate that heads right toward our pond. It’s so steep I barely resist the urge to fling up my hands and scream.

Add in a good patch of ice or two and you’ll quickly find yourself swimming with the fishes wearing a ton of steel as a skirt and circular, rubber shoes.

Not good. I don’t think that’s what aficionados of ice fishing had in mind. I really don’t.

So, last year, DH and I spent lots of quality time together climbing our sheer drop called a driveway and flinging salt on the near vertical surface to avoid the whole swimming with the fishes thing. Our new neighbors who, for whatever reason have decided they like us, kept calling to make sure we weren’t packing up the kitchen and preparing to move to Saint Lucia.

We weren’t. Gawd we’re stupid.

 

We’d been duped. When we moved farther South we really thought Winters would be slightly milder. When Winter arrived with a roar in our little neck of the woods, we convinced ourselves the whole cold, icy Winter thing was a fluke…a rarity. In fact we were repeatedly assured by our neighbors that was the case. But they flippin’ lied. The only question is whether they all got together ahead of time and came up with the lie for grins, or if they just pulled it right out of their butts, all spur of the moment like.

So here we go again.

This year I’m gonna do it. As I plunge downward toward the icy, fish-filled water below, I’m flinging up my hands and screaming. I might as well entertain myself as I die.