STUFF YOUR STOCKING BLOGFEST: BEVERLEY OAKLEY

December 20, 2012 By Leave a Comment

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Excited children in their Sunday best, diving beneath the Christmas tree in search of their next present is what I think of when I contemplate Christmas.

Children are mercurial little creatures and I was no different. I still remember the agonising wait from 5am (when excitement would wake me up before dawn), until a respectable 7am on Christmas morning which was when we were allowed to open our first present. After that we had to wait until our grandparents arrived. Oh, the anticipation!

My Norwegian husband tells our girls, aged 11 and 7, that he has spared them all that since his culture has the present-opening taking place on Christmas Eve. So, for the sake of a whole twelve hours he can play household hero on December 24th while I prepare the following day’s meal. My sister who lives ten minutes away also married a Norwegian (my husband’s best friend, in fact) so our two families (with 4 kids between us) embrace the two traditions in both our households in the beautiful Macedon Ranges in Victoria, Australia.

We’ve only spent one Christmas in Norway and, yes, it was white! Here in Australia Christmas is usually spent in the heat beneath the gum trees so our first white Christmas was very special. My mother-in-law decorated the living room in my husband’s hometown, Hamar, with hundreds of angels while the children were sleeping, so when they awoke it was a magical moment to see their faces.

Books are always high on the ‘want’ list at Christmas, being a family of writers and readers. Happily, diversity of taste is a family strong point. Last year my 11-year-old was as ecstatic to get the whole Anne of Green Gables series as she was to unwrap The Hunger Games trilogy.

On the subject of books and Christmas, Cressida, the heroine of my last release Lady Lovett’s Little Dilemma, has an increasingly busy Christmas each year as she adds to her nursery. Like her Regency counterparts 200 years ago, she has not the vocabulary or knowledge to have the conversation with her beloved husband as to how to limit their expanding family so as she retreats, physically, he reacts with confusion.

Christmas is, perhaps, the one time she can relax as the focus is not on her but the five children who are allowed to romp beneath the Christmas tree. Poor Cressida. Her journey towards self discovery begins with the shock rumour her husband has found comfort in the arms of his previous mistress leading Cressida to take on the guise of a widow in search of the truth.

This she finds in Mrs Plumb’s House of Ill repute – plus a lot more than she bargained for. During several explorations within the curtained boudoirs where love meets loneliness, Cressida’s latent sensuality is aroused as she learns some surprising things about her husband…and, unexpectedly, about a mystery surrounding a young acquaintance set to make a reluctant marriage to please her ailing mama. It is now that Cressida’s strength of character is tested as she weighs up the risks she must take to secure someone else’s happy ending. It’s a sweet erotic Regency Romance and a complete contrast to my earlier rambunctious erotic Regency, Rake’s Honour.

So, in the spirit of Christmas, I would like to offer one lucky commenter an e-copy of Rake’s Honour. Unlike the characters in Lady Lovett’s Little Dilemma, the hero and heroine of Rake’s Honour – Fanny Brightwell and Felix, Lord Fenton – are fiery and tempestuous. They’re just as well matched as my happily married Lord and Lady Lovett but Fanny is as different from quiet Cressida as is possible and she takes great delight in making Fenton grovel in order to save not just her honour, but his own. Happily, a number of reviewers remarked on an ending that made them ‘laugh out loud!’

Happy Christmas, everyone! I hope it’s a great one!

And if you’d like to find out more about me and my books, here are some links.

Website: http://www.beverleyoakley.com
Blog: http://beverleyeikli.blogspot.com.au/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorBeverleyOakley/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/BeverleyOakley

Filed Under: Erotic Romance, Guest Blogs Tagged With:

STUFF YOUR STOCKING BLOGFEST: KATHLEEN GRIEVE

December 20, 2012 By Leave a Comment

PhotobucketChristmas is more than just gifts. It is a time when traditions and family bonds are formed. A time when you can forget the stress of the daily life routine and relax and enjoy what you have. I have never been comfortable receiving gifts, especially since my birthday is a week before Christmas the gift giving when I was a child was melded into the two holidays. As I’ve grown older, I’ve learned that I feel really good in the role of gift giver. I think this spawns from my role as a nurse and my need to nurture.

As I started this post, I thought about asking what your favorite Christmas traditions were, but as I sat here and typed I realized that my own traditions have changed over the last couple of years. I’ve started to give more, and not in the traditional sense. I’m talking to my community. These are very difficult times. Americans have lost jobs, are homeless, and hungry. I too, struggle, but especially this time of year think how I can give those a chance to garner a bit of holiday cheer.

Now, I donate. Donate to toy drives, donate food/turkeys to food and homeless shelters, and donate coats to the drives that collect coats to those that don’t have them. Especially with those in the Northeast who have been hit hard by Sandy, donations of any kind will be very important this holiday season.

It’s very easy to Google local food banks/shelters in your area. Ask your local Fire stations if they’re doing Toys for Tots. The American Red Cross is taking donations for Sandy relief. So get involved in your community. It’s a tradition that really does make you feel good from the inside out!

I want to thank Marianne and Judy for hosting this blog hop today! If you leave a comment on your favorite holiday tradition, I will draw a random name and you will receive a free e-book of my new release, The Doctor’s Deception. And, I will take it one step further. For every comment I will donate one bag of food to my local food bank.

Thanks for stopping by!

Kathleen

About the Author:

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A graduate of University of Nebraska Medical Center, Kathleen Grieve earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Science and Nursing in 1994. She has been a dedicated nurse for more years than she cares to count, serving most of those years in intensive care. Always writing, Kathleen chose to pursue yet another career- that of a writer. An avid romance reader of all genres since age 13, she decided to try a hand at writing her own novel in the summer of 2006.

She draws a lot from the real-life medical drama she experiences as an intensive care RN for her novels. Writing romance is a creative outlet where she can effectively deal with the daily stress and sorrow, adding levity and humor to situations that provide a happily ever after when there isn’t one.

Find the author online:

Kathleen’s Website: www.kathleengrieve.com

Kathleen’s Blog: Keeping A Pulse on Life And Romance:http://kathleengrieve.blogspot.com

Social Media:

Follow Kathleen on Twitter @KathleenGrieve

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Kathleen-GrieveAuthor/251669291518939

At Evernight Publishing: http://www.evernightpublishing.com/pages/Kathleen-Grieve.html

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Kathleen-Grieve/e/B005UP4MP4

The Doctor’s Deception Available at Evernight Publishing December, 2012

Hard-headed, straight-laced Dr Stone Lassiter is one heart surgeon about to lose everything he’s worked his entire career for. He is locked in a battle of wills against the nurses of the surgical intensive care unit of Deerborne County General. At first, the new doctor was definitely drool-worthy. Sexy or not, the nurses have had enough! Their secret weapon? Unsuspecting SICU nurse, Faith Daniels, a cool green-eye blonde that turns Dr. Lassiter’s head every time she’s near. Poor Faith has the “worst luck” in drawing the short straw and is forced to work with Dr. Lassiter repeatedly. Will the nurses’ plan to have Dr. Lassiter fall in love with one of their own work in softening him toward the nursing staff? Or will the little white lie Stone tells Faith to enlist her aid to obtain his goal destroy the fragile bond of love that has developed between them?

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STUFF YOUR STOCKING BLOGFEST: SKHYE MONCRIEF

December 18, 2012 By Leave a Comment

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POST-APOCALYPTIC MADNESS!

I’ve been counting down to the Winter Solstice at my blog since Nov. 25th with other romance authors–mostly because I’ve been caught up in writing a post-apocalyptic series. So, Winter Solstice is around the corner, translating into: what did those Pre-Columbians think? Are you ready to survive and thrive because the world is supposed to end? Well, I’ve been working with some fellow authors to ensure readers have something to read (paperbacks) when hiding out after whatever ends the world as we know it on the 21st. Not that the world will end, more like if it ends…So, I thought I’d share some of that life-saving information and some stocking stuffers! And what’s better than a Christmas gift of knowledge?

ARE YOU READY?: KITCHEN MAGIC-INSIDE & OUTSIDE

So, I’m from the Houston area and suffer from hurricanes often. It’s one of those interesting situations where you get the heck out of Dodge early or you dig in and wait–using the BBQ pit for days. Hurricanes rarely relocate your large cast-iron pit. And if you’re a local, you know to keep lighter fluid, charcoal, and matches on hand because…I remember eating what we called Dog Food (canned hamburger hash) after heating it up on the pit after Hurricane Alisha. I’m not into slimy baked beans or standard pork ‘n beans. It’s a slime thing for me. I do eat Ranch Style Beans, refried beans, and the standard beans–kidney beans, pintos, chick peas, butter beans, and field peas. Variety makes life nice, even when the lights are out 3-7 days. So, hurry. Go buy plenty of canned beans to stock that variety in your pantry. Besides, who wants to hydrate and cook dried beans just to eat them? ***I have used a solar oven to cook dried beans. It’s AMAZING. Everyone needs a solar oven. OMG, its initial cost is all you pay for the contraption, and you don’t heat your house up while cooking. Let me see, I baked cornbread, cooked rice, shrimp, sausage, stewed vegetables, etc. But hydrating beans requires water. When you’re in an emergency situation, you need to save your water for drinking. UNLESS…

Dry vs. Canned Beans:

There is one exception to keeping dry beans on hand: bean sprouts. Bean sprouts are the Prepper’s salad and produce section at home. You will need quite a few bags of these little magic beans to turn your windowsill into a garden. I even sprouted popcorn. Not microwave popcorn. I used the seed for use in a hot-air popcorn popper. The only things you should never sprout are tomato seeds and potato seed (the eyes of potatoes). Both are poisonous. So, you might need a bean sprouter lid to make things easier.

Using a Solar Oven:

Now, that said, if you have enough water and can soak your beans through the night, you will be amazed at how they cook in the solar oven with the greenhouse effect. I highly recommend solar ovens. They were invented in the 70s and have been in use around the world in countries where firewood is one of those rare precious things. You know, to cut the tree down or not to cut the tree down…Aye, there’ the rub.

So, I bought a S.O.S oven just because I write futuristic (post-apocalyptic) romance and the scientist in me had to try using one. If you buy the S.O.S oven, everything you need comes with it, including a cookbook, two dark pans with lids, an oven thermometer, and a water purification thermometer. I haven’t tried boiling water to kill what could be in it yet. But one day…The thing to remember is that a solar oven is like a crock pot. It can heat up fast and cook at up to 400 degrees F. I saw my oven’s internal temperature rise to 350 degrees numerous times when I used the reflectors to elevate the heat inside the oven. So you will want to be certain you buy a quality oven with all the parts (and reflectors) to ensure your oven lasts.

A trick for using Solar Ovens:

If a sudden cloud burst sweeps in, you can use a medieval trick. You need an old insulated box (for us 21st-century folk, use an ice chest) packed with an old comforter, towels, or blanket. You want to be able to quickly transfer your unopened covered pot from the oven into the next of cloth and cover with more cloth then close the ice chest. This maintains the inner temperature of the covered pot. And the food will continue to boil/cook!!!

SKHYE’S CONTEST: DO OR DIE

Tell me how you think the world will end (if it does) on the 21st. One person will be randomly chosen (from those who participate with how the world will end) to win a pdf of Werescape: COUGAR
. I’m also giving away a $25 Kindle gift certificate to that lucky person. You can also pop over to my blog to get in on the rest of the madness (ending the 21st).
~Skhye

About the Author: Aside from muscled men in fur, leather, denim, or kilts, I love cultural ecology, cultural evolution, cultural relativism, and natural processes. Big ideas. Simple concepts that manifest in world building to crazy people like me who studied anthropology and geology before turning to writing romantic fiction. My rule of thumb is to love the good, the bad, and the ugly of every culture in my tales so every aspect of my stories resonates as real as possible.

Skhye Online

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STUFF YOUR STOCKING BLOGFEST: CHLOE GLINT

December 17, 2012 By Leave a Comment

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Fun Ways to Get Him to Stuff Your Stocking
By Chloe Glint

A lot of people focus on kids for Christmas, but what about your significant other? As an erotic novelist, I thought it would be fun to present “Fun Ways to Get Him to Stuff Your Stocking.” Try some of these “sexy gifts” for your partner, and both of you will end or even begin your Christmas with a broad smile.

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The Sexy Coupon BookBreakfast in bed is tame for what I have in mind, and yeah, it isn’t Valentine’s Day, but how about a set of homemade coupons full of his (or her) favorite fun “sexy games.”

The Sexy Scavenger HuntOh, la la. Try placing some lubricant, romantic candles, and adult toys around the house wrapped in ribbons for your partner to find. I bet you he will never be happier in his life to receive a candle as a present. You know what comes next.

The Red Ribbon of LoveSurprise your loved one with a red ribbon leading from the front door to the bed.

Cell Phone ForeplaySend your partner sexy messages all day long. The more erotic, the better. By the time it’s night, he’ll be panting—and maybe so will you.

The Kinky KitOh, yeah, it’s kinky, but it can be fun to heat things up too. Bound with your partner with this holiday gift for two at http://www.babeland.com/Candy-Apple-Kink-Kit/d/3490. A little too extreme? There are many less kinky gifts out there for you to share together.

The Panty-gramSend your partner some sexy panties with a special note from Panty-gram. Imagine his surprise…and pleasure.

I hope you enjoyed my sexy holiday tips. Now for the freebies. If you want to win a free e-book copy of A Gypsy’s Bride, then leave a comment with your name and email. I’ll do an anonymous drawing and we’ll see who wins.

Meanwhile, have a happy, sexy holiday.

About the Author: Chloe Glint is the writer of erotic romances. Her titles include A Gypsy’s Bridge, A Pirate’s Prisoner, and Love in Ribbons. Her short story has appeared in the Darkest Desires anthology. When she isn’t writing, she enjoys playing with her animals, running, and taking dance classes.

Find Chloe online at

Official Website: http://chloeglint.weebly.com/
Twitter Username: https://twitter.com/ChloeGlint
Buy a Gypsy’s Bride in e-book here: http://www.amazon.com/A-Gypsys-Bride-ebook/dp/B00A7DRTFO/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1353712234&sr=8-3&keywords=a+gypsys+bride
Buy a Gypsy’s Bride in print here (with a special gift of A Pirate’s Prisoner) included: http://www.amazon.com/Gypsys-Bride-Chloe-Glint/dp/1618451375/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1353712326&sr=1-1&keywords=chloe+glint

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Stuff Your Stocking Blogfest: Heidi Cullinan

December 30, 2011 By 9 Comments

Christmas Cookie

Every year I make a metric tonnage of Christmas cookies. I start right around the first of December and end up hurriedly putting the last ones together right before my daughter gets out of school, usually, because the goal is always to give the cookies away as gifts. Teachers, instructors for lessons, the mailman, the neighbors, and more. It all sounds good in theory, but it means I make a lot of cookies.

What I love most about this tradition is twofold: one, I always know what I’m bringing to gatherings or as a hostess gift, and two, everyone always has a favorite. Some of the cookies are in the rotation specifically for certain individuals. My sister loves the fudgy bonbons. My daughter’s godfather loves the peanut butter cup temptations. My husband goes weak in the knees for gingerbread. My sister-in-law is there entirely for the monster cookies.

Every year it seems I add another cookie, and every year I can’t take it away because it immediately becomes the one someone can’t live without. Is it a hassle? Yes. Is it expensive? Yeah, it can get there. But man, it’s fun, especially when I give myself the time to get the job done. The house smells amazing. The porch is full of cooling cookies and cookies in tins and bags and everything else. (Benefit of living in Iowa: your screened-in porch is your walk-in freezer in winter.) And everyone is so happy to get the cookies as gifts. They love the variety, love that you took the time, love that you thought of them.

And think of them I do. While I’m baking the fudgy bon bons, I think of my sister and the time we made them together, of how we had to find somewhere open on Christmas Day evening that had sweetened condensed milk. (Walgreens.) My daughter and husband usually do the cut-out cookies, which include the gingerbread, and I love listening to their banter and teasing as they work. I remember the face of my therapist as she poked through the gift bag full of goodies, how her eyes lit up and how she thanked me, of how I finally felt like I’d given her something back that equalled what she gives me. I remember how one year we didn’t get the cookies done before school got out and my daughter had to deliver them to the teachers’ doors. She actually asks every year now if we can do that again just because it’s fun.

Best of all, making my Christmas cookies reminds me of what the holidays are supposed to be about: giving, of my time and myself, for those that I love and who mean something to our family. That, and making Christmas cookies means there will be spritz shaped as green trees with red sprinkles. Because those are my favorite.

***

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As Laurie and Ed lose themselves in dance, their lives continue to spin around them: Ed’s injury makes it clear he’s nowhere near recovery, Laurie feels the pressure by friends and family to perform once more, and the community center that has become such an important part of both their worlds threatens to close. Alone, they haven’t had the strength or spirit to face what life has hurled at them. But as the turns of their personal paths lead them into the arms of love, Ed and Laurie begin to think that if they dance this dance together, they might be able to succeed.

Read Excerpt: http://www.heidicullinan.com/excerpts/dance-with-me
Buy now: http://www.loose-id.com/Dance-with-Me.aspx

***

Heidi has always loved a good love story, provided it has a happy ending. She enjoys writing across many genres but loves above all to write happy, romantic endings for LGBT characters because there just aren’t enough of those stories out there. When she isn’t writing, Heidi enjoys knitting, reading, movies, TV shows on DVD, and all kinds of music. She has a husband, a daughter, and too many cats.

Find out more at http://www.heidicullinan.com/
Follow her on Twitter: http://twitter.com/heidicullinan
Sign up for her newsletter: http://www.heidicullinan.com/newssignup

Win a copy of Heidi’s novel Dance With Me: just leave your own favorite holiday memory in the comments for your chance to win.

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Stuff Your Stocking Blogfest: Mary Hughes

December 29, 2011 By 18 Comments

Sparkling Possibilities

As a musician I’m gigging from mid-November to December 25, so my favorite holiday is the only one I can stop to enjoy—New Years.

The pivotal cheapest tadalafil reason of getting diagnosed with erectile dysfunction at some time in their life and that as many as you want. The powder which is made from white pepper helps for treating skin, hair and other health problem in men as you can notice seven in ten men facing ED problems. generico cialis on line raindogscine.com It can cause pain, cramps, and burning sensations in the raindogscine.com levitra tabs intimate parts of the body such as the joints, muscles, organs, cells, nerves and tissues. Online: ES, Blackburn E, Lin J, Dhabhar FS, levitra 60 mg click now et al. But there’s more to New Years than that! It’s the cusp of new beginnings, a time when possibilities sparkle. A breath of fresh air, a clean start, clearing away old mistakes and regrets and stepping into new hope. I love beginnings. That’s why my stories feature the first meet. Here’s a short sample from Biting Me Softly with vampire Logan and computer geek Liese.

When I first clapped eyes on Logan, I thought, Hot damn. Look what the Sex Fairy brung me!

It was eight p.m. Sunday night, and I was at work. I do computers for the Meiers Corners Blood Center. The staff is me, the executive director and a part-time nurse named Battle. I was the only one who worked insane hours, but I was new and still trying to prove myself.

I don’t know what made me look up. The cool March air, perhaps. Maybe the aroma wafting in, mystery and magic with overtones of raw sex.

Whatever it was, my eyes lifted and there he was, the most stunning male I’d ever seen. Smack-me-between-the-eyes gorgeous. Bright blond hair rippled to broad, muscular shoulders. Lean strength roped a long, lithe body. Laughter and intelligence sparked gold-flecked hazel eyes. Perfect lips curved in a smile so sensuous it made my innards go bang.

Then he opened his mouth and spoke. Talk about ruining perfection.

“Hello, gorgeous.” His tone was deep and lazy. “I want to speak to the computer man in charge.”

Right. Well that just spoiled everything, didn’t it?

I crossed my arms under my breasts. “You’re looking at him. I’m the head apple. Minus the stem, but those are overrated anyway.”

My sarcasm didn’t even faze the man. He tucked one spectacular ass cheek on my desk and leaned in, so close I could feel his warmth on my face. “You’re L. Schmetterling? How…fruitful. And what, my Red Delicious, does the L stand for? Laurie? Lucy? Lovely?”

All that male beauty and a tight ass on top of it. I’d been burned once by a man with a flabby butt and no hair. This man would incinerate me.

I clutched the reminder of male perfidy on my ring finger and screwed up my most forbidding expression. “It stands for Leave. As in Me Alone.”

“I live to do your bidding, princess,” the man crooned, his lips inches from mine. He had perfect, chiseled lips—the kind designed by Michelangelo for kissing. “But if you’re L. Schmetterling, I can’t leave. I have business with you.”

Hugs!

Mary Hughes is a computer consultant, professional musician, and writer. At various points in her life she has taught Taekwondo, worked in the insurance industry, and studied religion. She is intensely interested in the origins of the universe. She has a wonderful husband (though happily-ever-after takes a lot of hard work) and two great kids. But she thinks that with all the advances in modern medicine, childbirth should be a lot less messy.

To learn more about Mary Hughes, please visit–

Website: http://www.maryhughesbooks.com
Twitter: MaryHughesBooks
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MaryHughesAuthor
Blog: http://maryhughesbooks.blogspot.com/

I’ll be giving away winner’s choice of one Biting Love ebook: novels Bite My Fire, Biting Nixie, or Biting Me Softly, or novella The Bite of Silence, so leave a comment!

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Stuff Your Stocking Blogfest: Jana Richards

December 29, 2011 By 8 Comments

Home for Christmas

I shouldn’t be here. I should be home with my family.

Sarah pushed her cart down the endless hospital corridor, stopping at each patient’s room to distribute medications. The clock at the nurses’ station read 10 a.m. By this time, even her youngest sister Michelle would have dragged herself out of bed to open her Christmas presents. Mom would have been up for hours, of course, stuffing the turkey and getting everything just right for the big family dinner. By noon, her aunts and uncles and cousins would arrive bearing gifts of sweets and other foods. Grandma would tie an apron around her waist and mash potatoes until they were as smooth and frothy as freshly whipped cream and just as tasty.

And she’d miss all of it.

Sarah tried to push away the resentment and loneliness but they persisted, nagging at her like a toothache. As a newly minted registered nurse and low man on the totem pole on her ward, she’d had no choice but to work over Christmas. The other nurses commiserated, but were unwilling to trade shifts. Get used to it, they told her. We’ve all been through it. This is the job you’ve chosen, and it means that at times you’ll have to work when you’d rather be somewhere else.

Easy for them to say, Sarah thought bitterly. They could go home after work and be with their families. They could still celebrate Christmas with their loved ones. Her family was six hundred kilometers away. By the time she arrived at her parents’ home on December 28, all the presents would be opened, the turkey eaten, the relatives gone home.

Homesickness settled in her heart, creating a painful lump in her chest.

She pushed the cart into room 203 and checked her charts; Mrs. Grant was in her seventies and had just had a right hip replacement. She required medication for pain and high blood pressure. She’d had a difficult time the last few days. Immediately after surgery she’d been plagued with a stubborn infection. They’d just gotten the infection under control when she fell trying to get to the washroom on her own, reinjuring her hip and increasing her pain and recovery time. Sarah felt sorry for her; Mrs. Grant probably didn’t want to be in the hospital anymore than she did.

Sarah was surprised to see a small potted Christmas tree adorned with tiny red bows on the stand next to Mrs. Grant’s bed. “Have a holly, jolly Christmas” boomed from a portable stereo. Her patient smiled brightly from under her furry Santa hat.
“Hello, Sarah! Merry Christmas!”

Despite herself, Sarah smiled. “Hello, Mrs. Grant. You’re looking very cheery today.”

“Of course I am. It’s Christmas Day.”

Sarah poured a glass of water and handed her the pills. “Where did you get the little tree from? It’s cute.”

“I ordered it from the florist. Had to do something to put some Christmas spirit into this place. I got some chocolates for visitors, too. ” Mrs. Grant gestured to the windowsill beside her bed to a large, open box of chocolates. “Help yourself.”

Sarah selected a chocolate covered maraschino cherry, her favorite. “Hmm. Delicious. Thank you. That’s a big box. Are you expecting lots of visitors today?”

“No, not really. A lot of the folks in my seniors’ complex don’t drive anymore so they won’t be coming over. And besides, most will be with their families today.”

“What about your family? They must be missing you.”

Mrs. Grant gave a wistful smile. “My husband and I weren’t able to have children of our own. We have three nieces and two nephews but they all live out of town. Ralph died three years ago so I’m on my own now.”

Sarah’s sympathy must have shown on her face. Mrs. Grant wagged her finger. “Now, don’t start feeling sorry for me. I have lots of friends at the seniors’ complex and my nieces and nephews are like my own children. I’ll admit that being in the hospital over Christmas isn’t ideal, but Christmas is what you make of it, isn’t it?”

Sarah suddenly felt ashamed. She’d done nothing but whine and feel sorry for herself for missing Christmas day with her family. This likely wouldn’t be the last holiday she’d be separated from them. Like Mrs. Grant said, she needed to make the best of it. Maybe she could start with an attitude adjustment.

“Yes, you’re right, Christmas is what you make of it. Can I borrow your hat for a while?”

Mrs. Grant handed it to her. “Of course. What do you plan to do with it?”

Sarah popped it on her head. “Spread a little cheer, I hope. Merry Christmas, Mrs. Grant.”

“Merry Christmas, Sarah.”

She pushed her cart down the corridor once more, her heart a little lighter. “Ho, ho, ho, everyone! Merry Christmas! Here comes Nurse Santa! Merry Christmas!”

About the Author: Jana Richards has tried her hand at many writing projects over the years, from magazine articles and short stories to full-length paranormal suspense and romantic comedy. She loves to create characters with a sense of humor, but also a serious side. She believes there’s nothing more interesting then peeling back the layers of a character to see what makes them tick.

When not writing up a storm, working at her day job as an Office Administrator, or dealing with ever present mountains of laundry, Jana can be found on the local golf course pursuing her newest hobby.

Jana lives in Western Canada with her husband Warren, and a highly spoiled Pug/Terrier cross named Lou. You can reach her through her website at http://www.janarichards.net.

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Stuff Your Stocking Blogfest: Naomi Bellini

December 28, 2011 By 18 Comments

A Change for the Better; Creating New Traditions for Peace of Mind and Spirit

Breathe a sigh of relief and pat yourself on the back. Christmas is done, you made it through Thanksgiving if you live in the United States, the Holiday Madness is over. It’s time for life to get back to normal. But wait! Don’t get too comfortable, there is more insanity looming on the horizon…New Year’s Day and Valentine’s Day. Though these two celebrations don’t have the stressors of their more popular counterparts, they come with their own pressures.

For many, New Year’s Eve is celebrated by dressing up and going out for dinner and drinks. Women are expected to be sparkling and sexy, witty and fun. Unfortunately, this holiday comes so soon after Christmas, many of us have lost our wit and sparkle and don’t expect to have them back any time soon. In fact, we’re downright depressed. We can’t fit into our party dress and don’t have the money or energy to shop for a new one. It’s dark and cold, bad weather threatens daily. We’re drained, worn-out, and really just want to curl up with a book and a bottle of wine and welcome the New Year from under a blanket.

Yet somehow, we drag ourselves through a New Year’s celebration, and what do we find lurking around the corner? Valentine’s Day! Another holiday that requires us to put on the glitz and shine. We now have to shop for sexy lingerie that requires an excessive amount of hair removal, assure our loved one that we really don’t want a gift (yes, we really do!), and get in the mood for yet another fancy dinner, when the wine bottle and blanket are beckoning.

But really, is all the primping and polishing necessary? Ask many men and women and they will tell you they find their partner the most sexy and desirable when they tumble into bed at night, wobble out of bed in the morning, or step out of a steamy shower, wearing nothing but a towel. No make-up, no fancy dress, no uncomfortable pantyhose, just delicious bare skin.

Maybe this year would be a good year to scale back on the dress-up and celebration. We could just say no to those invitations and not feel guilty, or worry that we are missing out on something. It’s perfectly okay to not celebrate a holiday the way we always have if it seems the old customs aren’t working anymore. Change is good. This might be the year to start a new tradition, like enjoying the company of our loved ones in a quiet, cozy place. Perhaps, under the blanket.

About the Author:Naomi lives in beautiful sunny Florida with the love of her life and a magical black cat. She writes for various fiction and non-fiction markets, but finds she is drawn to erotic romance because her characters insist on canoodling, and sometimes even falling madly in love. So she lets them. Occasionally, however, they go to dark and strange places. She lets them do this also. Most of her stories will surprise readers with unexpected twists and turns, because isn’t that what makes life exciting?

Her interests include dancing, hula-hooping, drumming, and creating healthy meals. She takes the opportunity to play, have fun, and indulge in the pursuit of passion whenever possible. She hopes you enjoy her stories and would love to hear from you at naomibellina(at)live(dot)com. Visit her website at http://www.naomibellina.com/

Her motto: Never pass up the opportunity to have an adventure!

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Stuff Your Stocking Blogfest: Dani Stone

December 19, 2011 By 13 Comments

The Christmas Cheese
by Dani Stone, contributing author, SLEIGH RIDE: A Winter Anthology

Christmas is a holiday steeped in tradition. From hanging mistletoe, stringing popcorn, and pouring the first glass of eggnog, every family has something that triggers the start of the season. For me, it was always the Christmas Cheese.

I’m the oldest of five children and in our house, setting up the Christmas tree wasn’t a chore, it was an event! The Christmas Tree Decorating Party included snacky food like cookies, summer sausage, Ritz crackers, cheese cubes and homemade fudge. The sugar high was especially helpful in keeping my father’s mood festive while he wrangled and cursed at the tangle of Christmas tree lights. “Another bulb burned out. Quick, somebody get Daddy a peanut butter cookie, STAT.”

When it was time for the kids to take over, Dad would take his place as the Decorating Party DJ, literally spinning Andy Williams, Elvis, and Nat King Cole records, filling the room with music. We would sing, dance, munch our treats and take turns hanging multi-colored bulbs and crafty school projects. It was a sad year when my construction-paper Rudolph had to be thrown away because it was practically disintegrating. You made it 10 years, buddy, it was a good run.

The first year my brother placed an ornament hook through a cube of cheese and inconspicuously hung it on the tree, he did it to see if anyone would notice. With all the blinking lights and assorted accoutrement, we didn’t. When he finally pointed it out on Christmas Day, we howled with laughter and a tradition was born.

Each year thereafter, once we’d flung icicles like crazed elves, coating each branch, most of the floor and each other in silver strands, my brother would ceremoniously hang the Christmas Cheese.

My brother now has a son of his own and I’ve got the perfect gift in mind. . . cheddar.

Happy Holidays!

Stuff Your Stocking Prize: A beautiful journal to write all your favorite memories in!

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Stuff Your Stocking Blogfest: Scarlett Sanderson

December 19, 2011 By 17 Comments

It’s the most wonderful time of the year!

Deck the halls with boughs of holly

Greetings from England! As I write this I’m sitting in front of a roaring log fire, sipping an eggnog latte, snow is falling outside the window…

In reality, I’m actually sitting at my desk with the central heating cranked to the max, looking out at the damp rain. I am sipping an eggnog latte though 🙂

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I love the smell — hot chocolate, coffee, hearty ales and mulled wines; gingerbread, sausages and cinnamon. There is a funfair and numerous traditional Christmas craft stalls. It’s not Christmas until we’ve made the annual trip to the Festive Meeting Hall and downing a glass of mulled wine.

Even at my age, I still find this time of year magical. Christmas lights, Christmas cake (yum!), carol concerts and shopping.

This is one of the reasons I am giving away a copy of my Christmas novella, At Their Command.

All Hope wants for Christmas is Ethan St. Claire. She’s had a thing for him since high school, when he was the bad boy and she was the class geek. Now she’s older, wiser…and dying of sexual frustration. Fantasies of having Ethan and his best friend Dominic at the same time drive her wild with unsated lust.

Ethan has always loved Hope, and he’s finished waiting for her to realize they’re meant for each other. He’s taking command and giving Hope exactly what she needs. If she’s nice, he’ll give her a sexy spanking. If she’s naughty, he and Dominic will double her pleasure as an extra-lusty Christmas treat.

To be entered into the prize draw, please leave a comment on this blog post and tell me what’s your favourite thing about Christmas?

I wish you a magical holiday!
Scarlett
http://scarlettsanderson.blogspot.com
http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1661269.Scarlett_Sanderson

Multi-published author, Scarlett Sanderson is a librarian by day and an erotic romance novelist by night. She lives in suburban England with her significant other and dreams of having Lara Croft type adventures. As a reader, she loves to immerse herself in sweeping tales of romance, fantasy and most of all, tantalizing erotica. Those are the elements she tries to weave into the stories she creates.

When not writing, Scarlett has a burning passion for history, good chocolate, fine wine and anything supernatural (especially if it includes the hunters Dean and Sam Winchester from the TV show Supernatural!).

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