Monday, December 29, 2014

UP TO ME Is The Kindle Daily Deal - A Romance Bargain You Won't Want To Miss!

The Kindle Daily Deal is a great way to stock up on books - either grab ones you've had your eye on for a while, or take the chance on discovering a new author. I'm thrilled that today UP TO ME is the Kindle Daily Deal - and at only $0.99 for 100,000 words of romantic goodness, that is the best bargain you are going to find no matter how many after Christmas sales you hit! Grab it today at Amazon

Ella Mayhew's always appreciated the beautiful view of Seneca Lake from the spa window of her family's hotel.But the view improves dramatically when a hot stranger runs across the grounds—shirtless. He's the first man to kickstart her hormones in the three years since she lost her parents, and she doesn't even know his name.

Graydon Locke's on his umpteenth undercover assignment. The routine's always the same: assess a business, recommend it for closure, then roll out before anyone discovers his decisions impact hundreds of lives. He's always believed nothing good comes out of small towns. Why would this one be different? Then he makes two classic rookie mistakes—falling for the sweet, sexy girl who owns the very business he's on the verge of axing. And letting the town's residents get involved in both his life, and his relationship with Ella.

Ella's the best thing to ever happen to Gray, but he's lied to her from the start. If he pulls the plug on Mayhew Manor, the entire town may crumble. Ella couldn't save her parents, but it's up to her to save their hotel. Even if that means turning her back on true love.

Here's a peek at the very beginning: 


Tan legs, muscled arms and rippling abs added up to the sexiest half-naked man Ella Mayhew had ever seen. Well, technically not ever. As a massage therapist, she’d seen more than her fair share of half-naked men. Ella liked to think of it as a job perk. People in other careers got to rack up frequent flyer miles, or go to fancy parties and nibble on gourmet delicacies while working. She got eye candy galore. Or at least the possibility of it. And although her demeanor always remained professional, occasionally it was impossible not to notice a stand-out physique from the steady stream of weekend golfers and middle-aged wine enthusiasts who mostly lay on her table.
Like the time a cyclist in training for the Tour de France had spent a week here at Mayhew Manor. Every morning he’d done sprints all around Seneca Lake. Then in the afternoon he’d come into the spa and demand deep tissue massage. His muscles had been so rock hard, Ella needed a massage after she wore herself out working on him. Now that was a body she’d never forget.
She pressed her forehead against the window for a better look. Then cupped her hands around her eyes to block out the light of the spa. So maybe this man jogging by wasn’t the absolute hottest in the universe. But something about him glued her in place, unwilling to miss a moment of his legs and arms pistoning in tandem.
“Aren’t you the one who usually yells at me for gawking out the window?” Brooke DiMucci dug a sharp, acrylic-tipped nail into Ella’s ribs. “And isn’t it you who claims it isn’t appealing to our clients and—holy guacamole, look at that hottie.” Brooke plastered her hands on the next pane over. “Good spotting.”
Ella didn’t bother to deny any of it. She was convinced it freaked out arriving guests to see faces looking at them like zoo animals. And she was equally convinced of the off-the-charts hotness of the man in the loose black shorts headed up the drive. “I saw him jog by about an hour ago. Just from the back. His lats were a thing of beauty. I watched him go the whole length of the parking lot until he turned onto the road.”
“No wonder you volunteered to cover the front desk while I tore my hair out balancing the end-of-month P&L reports. I’d call that pretty devious of you.”
Yeah, they’d been friends too many years for her to be able to sneak anything past Brooke. Didn’t mean she couldn’t try to spin it, though. Ella tightened the bow on the pink paisley scarf around her ponytail. “It benefitted both of us. I call it a good allocation of assets.”
“I call him a good allocation of assets.” Brooke giggled. Then gasped. “Ella, he’s looking right at us.”
Ella did the only logical thing. She dropped to a crouch below the windowsill. Tugged Brooke down to join her on the floor. Upon landing, her legs splayed out, narrowly missing a shelving unit full of Mayhew Manor’s signature grapeseed oil soaps and lotions.
“Hey, these are new capri pants,” complained Brooke. “I don’t want dust all over my ass.”
Ella took another look. White, and sprinkled with tiny blue anchors, they were pretty cute. Especially paired with the boatneck navy top. Only the third of May, barely sixty degrees, and yet already people were embracing all things sailing related. That summed up life on the shores of the largest of New York’s Finger Lakes. But the seasonally adorable pants were not at risk.
“This is a health spa. Sanitation is as key to the client experience as relaxation and harp music laced with bird song.” Ella ran a finger along the spotless baseboards and waved it in front of Brooke. “Which is why the maintenance staff mops twice a day. If there’s any dust on the floor for your ass to pick up, we’ve got bigger problems.”
Brooke looked mollified. For about a second. Then her wide forehead creased into a horizontal question. “Why are we hiding?”
Good question. Ella didn’t know what had caused her to abandon all professionalism and stare at him either time he’d jogged by. And she certainly didn’t know why instinct had dropped her to the ground when their eyes connected. The only thing she did know was that looking at the gorgeous guy scrambled her brain cells worse than the Long Island Teas her friend Casey served by the ladleful every Halloween.
“I’m honestly not sure.”
Brooke hooked her thick, dark bob behind her ears, looped an arm around Ella’s shoulders, and sighed. “Look, Ella, I realize it’s been a while since any man lit your pilot light, so to speak. But dating is the same now as it was three years, three decades, and three centuries ago. When a hot guy looks at you, smile. Don’t duck and cover like you’re a bank robber on the lam.”
Damn it. She hated when her friends reminded her how long she’d gone without a date. They acted like it was a disturbing symptom of a bigger calamity, rather than a choice. Not that Ella actively thought about dating. She didn’t. At all. Not since Disaster Day. Which was probably the problem. But to her it was just another priority that got re-shuffled. To a category of disinterest somewhere below the need to watch the History Channel. Every New Year’s, she resolved to watch more educational television. To spend her evenings learning about the Borgia dynasty or the mysteries of the Mayans. That resolution usually lasted until the first commercial break of the first show. Then she switched over to the Food Network for the rest of the year.
“I’ll file that under valuable advice. Thanks.”
Brooke tapped the toes of her sneakers together. “Does that mean we can get up now?”
“Don’t get up on my account, ladies.” The mellow, baritone voice ended in a laugh.
Ella swiveled around so fast her spine twitched in protest. Oh. God. Sexy, half-naked guy was standing right next to the display of lavender (for the ladies) and eucalyptus (for the men) scented candles. Close enough she could see sweat beading around his belly button. Slowly dripping down the thin trail of dark hair into the waistband of his shorts. If she got on her knees, she’d be at just the right height to lick it off. Which is why she instantly jumped to her feet instead. 
Available at Amazon

Friday, December 26, 2014

Need to Stock Your New EReader With Funny, Sexy Romances? Look No Further!

Did Santa bring you a new ereader for xmas? Need to discover a new author to fill it up? Love a sexy contemporary romance that also makes you laugh? I'm here to help! Each of the titles below is the start of a series. There is something for every taste, I promise!

We'll start with Planning for Love, the kick-off to my Aisle Bound series. Set in Chicago, this series revolves around big-city romance and lots of wedding goodness.

Hopeless romantic Ivy Rhodes
and
anti-Cupid
Bennett Westcott
request the pleasure of your company for
their disaster of a courtship
Wedding planner Ivy Rhodes is the best in the business, and she's not about to let a personal problem stop her from getting ahead. So when she's asked to star in the reality TV show Planning for Love, it doesn't matter that the show's videographer happens to be a recent--and heartbreaking--one-night stand.

Bennett Westcott admits he didn't handle his encounter with Ivy very well. But looking at her beautiful smile--and great body--through a camera lens every day? He can't be faulted for suggesting they have some no-strings fun.

The more time they spend together, the more Ben realizes Ivy isn't the wedding-crazed bridezilla he'd imagined. But if he doesn't trust himself to make a relationship last, how can he convince Ivy to give him another chance?  
Purchase in every format at Carina Press.

Do you prefer small-town romance? No problem! Up To Me is the start of the Shore Secrets trilogy, set in a small town in the Finger Lakes of New York.

Ella Mayhew's always appreciated the beautiful view of Seneca Lake from the spa window of herfamily's hotel.But the view improves dramatically when a hot stranger runs across the grounds--shirtless. He's the first man to kickstart her hormones in the three years since she lost her parents, and she doesn't even know his name.

Graydon Locke's on his umpteenth undercover assignment. The routine's always the same: assess a business, recommend it for closure, then roll out before anyone discovers his decisions impact hundreds of lives. He's always believed nothing good comes out of small towns. Why would this one be different? Then he makes two classic rookie mistakes--falling for the sweet, sexy girl who owns the very business he's on the verge of axing. And letting the town's residents get involved in both his life, and his relationship with Ella.

Ella's the best thing to ever happen to Gray, but he's lied to her from the start. If he pulls the plug on Mayhew Manor, the entire town may crumble. Ella couldn't save her parents, but it's up to her to save their hotel. Even if that means turning her back on true love.
Purchase in every format at Carina Press.

And if you prefer short books that can be gobbled up quickly, then my category-length beach books will be exactly what you need.


Darcy Trent is lucky Cooper Hudson is on hand to sweep her off her feet--literally--when she nearly drowns while swimming in the ocean. But life-saving aside, Mr. Perfect's timing stinks: Darcy's career is about to take her to the complete opposite side of the Atlantic. Still, a little summer loving with the tall, blond and sexy former cop is far too tempting to pass up.

When his plans to enter the Secret Service went south thanks to a bum knee, Coop retreated to the family beach house to mull his future. Romance is the last thing on his mind, until he fishes a curvy brunette out of the sea. Now, spending time in Darcy's arms seems like the ideal distraction, even if it is just for a week.

But with Darcy's departure date fast approaching and their careers on the line, can they realize in time that their beach fling might become the real thing?
Purchase in every format at Carina Press.

Thursday, December 25, 2014

Winner Announcement for Twelve Days of Christmas Blog Hop


Day #12On the Twelfth Day of Christmas, My true love said "It's Here! The tree is full of presents, so you Must have been a good girl all year!" The time has come to announce this year's 12 Days of Christmas winners. I'm so glad you were able to join us and I hope you enjoyed our posts about the holidays and how we love to celebrate. I also hope you found a book or two you were able to relax with as you sat by the fire in the twinkle of the tree lights and sipped a cup of hot cocoa. 
Click HERE to go to the Rafflecopter where the 16 winners are listed. If you are a winner, please go to my contact page (click HERE) and send me your home address so I can mail you your prize this next week.

ON BEHALF OF ALL PARTICIPATING AUTHORS IN THIS YEAR'S BLOG HOP
Final Picture2

Wednesday, December 24, 2014

A Warming Cocktail at the Twelve Days of Christmas Blog Hop

Bronchitis has laid me low for a few weeks, so I haven't exactly been kicking it on the holiday party circuit. But now that I'm getting better, there is a drink that hits the spot. Perfect for people in cold weather (or who want to dream about cold weather), too! Spiked Spiced Russian Tea is a great combination of spices, tea, OJ and bourbon. The best part is that you can make a child-friendly version too, since you add the bourbon at the very end. It will warm you from the inside out: http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/spiked-spiced-russian-tea Oh, and mulled wine is always good, too!

Jeanne Hardt  Ashes of Atlanta  Book CoverToday I'm introducing you to From the Ashes of Atlanta by Jeanne Hardt
After losing his Atlanta home and family to the war, Confederate soldier, Jeb Carter, somehow wakes up in a Boston hospital. Alone, desperate, and with a badly broken leg, he pretends to be mute to save himself from those he hates—Yankees.

Gwen Abbott, a student at Boston Women’s Medical College, is elated when she’s allowed to study under the guidance of a prominent doctor at Massachusetts General. While forced into a courtship with a man she can scarcely tolerate, her thoughts are consumed with their mysterious new patient. If only he could talk.

Two strangers from different worlds, joined by fate. Perhaps love can speak without words and win a war without a single shot being fired. Pick up a copy today from Amazon.

12 Days of Christmas Blog Hop Button with Frame

As part of The 12 Days of Christmas celebration, Jeanne donated an autographed paperback copy of Marked, paired with a $10 Starbucks card from Jessica Jefferson to the prize list. Click HERE for this and many more random drawings. To follow the celebration, find a new recipe, pick up a holiday decorating or shopping tip, click HERE.

About the Author

After moving to Tennessee in the early 1990's, I have fallen in love with the South and its history. I moved here from Idaho... with the intent of pursuing a career in music and acting, but in 2010 discovered my true love...Writing. I am now a member of Romance Writers of America and my local chapter, Music City Romance Writers. My hope and dream is to one day have a Jeanne Hardt novel in every home. I am a lover of happy endings, but my stories are by no means, "fluff." Life has its ups and downs, and so do my books.

Tuesday, December 23, 2014

Favorite Tradition at Twelve Days of Christmas Blog Hop

Darcy Flynn   Rogue's Son   Book CoverEvery family has holiday traditions - and blending families through marriage can lead to some heavy negotiating as to what stays and what goes. But I eagerly embraced one of my hubby's big family traditions. They write clues on every gift tag. Often trying to figure out the clue is more than half the fun of opening the present! Go ahead and give it a try - and share one of your favorite holiday traditions with us!

Today I'm introducing you to Rogue's Son by Darcy Flynn Tough, driven Kit Kendall has replaced her frills and dresses with no nonsense haircuts and wranglers, years ago. As owner of Sage Brush, the once thriving west Texas bed and breakfast ranch, she now struggles daily to keep her business afloat. Since McCabe Resort Lodge reopened next door as a multi-million dollar hotel, her financial difficulties compound, as she suffers one cancellation after another. Just when she thought things couldn’t get any worse, Kit’s childhood sweetheart turned nemesis returns as the new owner of the resort that’s now putting her out of business, resurrecting memories she thought she’d buried long ago.

Cowboy, entrepreneur Sam Dawson has returned to Sugar Creek, Texas after six years of exile with a secret that could destroy Kit’s happiness. He left town because of it and for the past two years has secretly tried to make it right. Having failed, he now returns to make one last attempt to undo the tangled web created by his father. Set in motion by his father’s Last Will and Testament and with the clock ticking, Sam has only weeks to convince Kit to sell him her ranch or reveal the truth that will break her heart. Pick up a copy today at Amazon.

12 Days of Christmas Blog Hop Button with Frame

As part of The 12 Days of Christmas celebration, Darcy donated a package full of author swag, paired with a $10 Amazon card from Jennifer Faye to the prize list. Click HERE for this and many more random drawings. To follow the celebration, find a new recipe, pick up a holiday decorating or shopping tip, click HERE.

About the Author

Joy Dent writes sweet contemporary romances as Darcy Flynn. Her life is a gumbo world. Take a little New Orleans heritage, some art, music, dance and add a lot of love and time to simmer and all you have is spice, flavor, and a memory of something so fine you can’t wait for another helping. Her fiction is a few B&Bs, a bit of moon magic and a lot of problems mixed with a healthy portion of sweet romance. Add a dash of sizzle and a lot of sass and all that’s left is magic. A native of New Orleans, Darcy swapped her city roots for garden boots when she and her husband moved to their farm in Franklin, Tennessee, where Darcy is surrounded by her beautiful gardens and a menagerie of living creatures–English setters and Millie Fleur chickens, being her favorite. Although, published in the Christian non-fiction market under her real name, Joy Dent, it was the empty nest that turned her to writing romantic fiction. A lover of lighthouses, Darcy’s first novel, Keeper Of My Heart, is set in a small Maryland fishing village on the Chesapeake Bay. Her short story, Sealed With a Kiss: Prequel to Keeper of My Heart is available on Amazon and Smashwords. Connect: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Pinterest | Google+

Monday, December 22, 2014

Favorite Holiday Dessert Recipe at Twelve Days of Christmas Blog Hop!

Soooo many great desserts during the holidays. Sometimes you need to kick things up a notch and make something elegant that will wow your guests. Creme brulee always does that, and if you serve this White Chocolate Cranberry Creme Brulee, jaws will drop. Guaranteed. Side note - I far prefer to make my own cranberry sauce, because it is so easy and tastes better than the canned variety. But do whatever floats your boat. http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/white-chocolate-cranberry-crme-brle Just promise me you'll try making this!

Ryan Jo Summers When Clouds Gather  Book CoverThe spotlight today is on When Clouds Gather by Ryan Jo Summers Darby Adams has a successful Bed & Breakfast Inn, a wonderful son and a happy life in the coastal town of Driftwood Shores. Then a guest is found dead in one of her rooms. Suddenly she is the number one suspect and her world is spiraling out of control.

The surviving family wants answers so they hire new-in-town private investigator Sam Golden to undeniably prove her guilt and have her put away. Sam begins his new case in a dual role, in the guise of being Darby's much needed friend while looking for the evidence to send her to prison. Until strange things begin happening at the B & B--scary things. Finally Sam has to question his thoughts on her guilt or innocence.

Meanwhile, Darby leans on Sam to weather each new challenge and threat. Feelings begin to develop between Darby and Sam. Until Sam is forced to tell Darby the truth about him, effectively destroying what trust they had. Until a new threat forces Darby to trust Sam once more. She will bet her freedom and life on his skills, but can she trust her heart? Pick up your copy today from Amazon.

12 Days of Christmas Blog Hop Button with Frame
As part of The 12 Days of Christmas celebration, Ryan donated a pair of hand-painted ceramic penguin holiday mugs, paired with a $5 Amazon card from Sophia Kimble to the prize list. Click HERE for this and many more random drawings. To follow the celebration, find a new recipe, pick up a holiday decorating or shopping tip, click HERE.

About the Author

Ryan Jo Summers is a North Carolina writer who pens contemporary romance blended with an unexpected twist. "Whispers in Her Heart' combines mystery and horses with the mystical paranormal. Her latest book out, "Shimmers of Stardust" combines Christian elements in a time travel love story. Next up will be "When Clouds Gather", a romantic mystery. Connect: Website | Facebook | Twitter

Sunday, December 21, 2014

Favorite Holiday Songs at Twelve Days of Christmas Blog Hop

Tracey Livesay  Pretending with The Playboy  Book CoverI'm not sure it is possible to choose only one favorite Christmas song. With my choir background, I've sung every ubiquitous and esoteric holiday song in existence. But I can share with you my dad's fave. He loves this one so much that I learned to play it on the piano at age nine as a Christmas present. So here's a little Johnny Mathis to get you in the spirit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5gcP13wWodA

Pretending with the Playboy by Tracey Livesay Commitment makes you weak. It's playboy Carter Richardson's motto. The only exception to the rule is his aunt, and when Carter learns she's terminally ill, he rushes to her bedside. Filled with fear and guilt—and desperate to ease his aunt's mind—Carter does the only thing a guy could do...he panics and blurts out that he's engaged to his aunt's enticing protegée.

Lauren Olsen has already had her heart crushed once by Carter. Against her better judgment, she agrees to keep up appearances—until Carter makes their “engagement” public in order to protect the family business. Now Lauren's torn between obeying her conscience, and obeying her desire. Because while she could never trust the womanizing Carter she once knew, she seems to be falling for the man beneath the playboy...

Pretending with the Playboy goes on sale 12/29 at Amazon and B&N.

12 Days of Christmas Blog Hop Button with Frame

As part of The 12 Days of Christmas celebration, Tracey donated a $10 B&N card to the prize list. Click HERE for this and many more random drawings. To follow the celebration, find a new recipe, pick up a holiday decorating or shopping tip, click HERE.

About the Author

I write powerful and passionate romantic fiction. I believe in alpha heroes, intelligent heroines and happily ever afters. Obstacles may threaten my couples’ happiness, but true love will ALWAYS prevail. If you want to chat about TV, movies and/or purses, you can find me on Facebook and Twitter, when I’m not trying to meet an ever present deadline. I wrote my first romance novel at the age of eleven, called “The Healing Power of Love.” With a detour through college and law school–where I met her husband on the very first day. I live in Virginia with said husband and three kids. Connect: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

Saturday, December 20, 2014

Holiday Finger Food at Twelve Days of Christmas Blog Hop

You can't have too many finger food recipes at the holidays. Nobody wants to deal with forks. They just want have one hand for a drink and the other with something yummy in it. I promise people will gobble up these cheese puff appetizers. "Tiny dough-wrapped olives get their kick from cheddar cheese and Worcestershire in this make-ahead treat."
INGREDIENTS:
2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese
1/2 cup butter
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 dash Worcestershire sauce
1 (5 ounce) jar pitted green olives
DIRECTIONS:
1.Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Lightly grease a cookie sheet.
2.In a small bowl, mix together cheese, butter, flour, and Worcestershire sauce. Knead the dough. Pinch the dough into small balls, flatten them in the palm of your hand, then roll each circle of dough around one stuffed olive. Arrange the wrapped olives on the prepared cookie sheet.
3.Bake for 15 minutes until lightly brown.
Abigail Sharpe    Who Wants to Marry a Doctor   Book CoverWho Wants to Marry a Doctor? by Abigail Sharpe The Doctor Is In . . .

As a single mom and pediatrician, Sabrina Bankhead doesn't have time for romance. All that changes when she reluctantly agrees to take part in a dating show fundraiser for a children's hospital. But once she sets eyes on the journalist hired to cover the show, none of the four contestants stand a chance. If she doesn't choose one of the eligible bachelors, the hospital doesn't raise a cent. What's a lovestruck doc to do?

Investigative journalist Quinn Donnelly is on the mend after an assignment in Afghanistan left him both physically and emotionally scarred. Though he's itching to return overseas and finish his story, he'll have to be content with this fluff piece assignment to cover a local dating show.

One-night stands are Quinn's forte-but after he meets Sabrina, he's ready to say yes for the long haul. After years of chasing the next big story, Quinn is starting to wonder if maybe home really can be where the heart is . . . Pick up a copy today from Amazon.

12 Days of Christmas Blog Hop Button with Frame
As part of The 12 Days of Christmas celebration, Abigail paired a bag of heart-shaped pasta with a $5 Amazon gift card from Maureen Bonatch to the prize list. Click HERE for this and many more random drawings. To follow the celebration, find a new recipe, pick up a holiday decorating or shopping tip, click HERE.

About the Author

Abigail is a Boston-bred Yankee now eating grits and saying “y’all” in North Central Florida. She dreamed more of being a stage actress or joining the CIA than being an author. While she still enjoys participating in community theater productions and singing karaoke, the secret-agent career was replaced by hours at her computer, writing stories of love and laughter and happily ever after. Abigail lives with her husband, two kids, and one crazy princess puppy. Connect: Website | Facebook | Goodreads |

Friday, December 19, 2014

Christmas Decorations at Twelve Days of Christmas Blog Hop!

One of my favorite parts of the holiday would be the decorations. I blame my parents. I grew up in Southern California, and every year we'd spend about two hours in the car driving through Hastings Ranch, famous for its over-the-top decorations. You don't have to worry about things being ruined by the weather out there, so people go balls-to-the-wall. Every house, every street, for blocks. That set the bar for me. Oh, I don't go crazy at my house, but I do make sure we've got a little something xmas related in every single room of the house. Even the laundry room has a red jingle bell hanging from the door handle. What is your favorite decoration?


Linda O'Connor  Perfectly Honest   Book CoverPerfectly Honest by Linda O'Connor You never know where your words will take you. When Mikaela Finn agreed to be Sam’s ‘fiancée’ for a weekend, she probably should have told him that she’s a doctor.

Sam O’Brien, aka ‘Dr. Eye Candy’, is trying to shed his playboy reputation and convince a small town hospital that he’s ready to settle down. But when his ‘fiancée’ helps deliver a baby in the middle of the meet and greet, it’s a bit of a shock.

If he’d known the whole truth, he might have done things a little differently because somehow his ‘fiancée’ ends up stealing his job and his heart. Not exactly the change he wanted. Lies and deceit – it’s a match made in heaven! Perfectly Honest will be available at Amazon on January 14, 2015.

12 Days of Christmas Blog Hop Button with Frame

As part of The 12 Days of Christmas celebration, Linda donated a $5 Amazon card and ebook copy of Perfectly Honest to the prize list. Click HERE for this and many more random drawings. To follow the celebration, find a new recipe, pick up a holiday decorating or shopping tip, click HERE.

About the Author

I’ve been writing for three years, and I’m thrilled that Soul Mate Publishing will be publishing my latest novel, Perfectly Honest.I love reading romantic comedies so naturally that’s what I write. I never aspired to be a writer, but now I’m addicted. I love it. I balance writing with my work as a physician at an Urgent Care Clinic and being a mom to three sons (luckily grown and capable of throwing together a decent meal, in a pinch). Plus I like to keep active and cycle, cross-country ski, skate, walk with my husband, or dance every day.The idea to write came after working with young adults. There were some basics I thought they should know – mental health symptoms, birth control myths, how to take ownership of their health. I thought hey, if David Chilton of The Wealthy Barber fame can dole out financial advice in a barbershop, maybe I could dole out medical advice in a Romance novel. That’s how my first novel, She’s Not a Fan, was born. For many years, I taught clinical skills to medical students and spent a lot of time writing detailed roles for actor-patients. It was great practice for developing characters in my stories. Joining the Romance Writers of America, taking online workshops, (and reading) all helped improve my writing. Medical school was challenging, but it was nothing compared to figuring out where commas go, POV, or sorting out verb tense (simple past, past perfect, past perfect progressive – did they know there were 25 other letters they could have used to name those things?) Obviously I’m still learning, but I love the process. I don’t write about people I know, but I definitely take inspiration from snippets of conversations or from the emotion I feel when I talk to people. My designated writing space is any place with a view of Lake Ontario, preferably outside (for three of the four seasons). Connect: Website | Facebook | Twitter

Thursday, December 18, 2014

Appetizer Day at 12 Days of Christmas Blog Hop!

The Christmas season = parties. Dinner parties, office parties, holiday parties - you name it. At some point, you're going to need a reliable and simple appetizer. This one looks fancy, tastes out of this world, smells divine and is super easy.....and at the heart of it, is just mushrooms and cheese. Okay, there's a little more to it than that. Go try it. http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Shiitake-Mushrooms-with-Young-Pecorino-Cheese-350126

Sloane B Collins LoveRedesigned400 Book CoverNow let me introduce you to Love Redesigned by Sloane B. Collins Give American cake artist Genevieve Haywood a picture of anything, and she’ll turn it into a sweet and decadent creation. She’s not going to let hard work or competition stop her from opening her dream business. But when she’s hired as the cake artist for her cousin’s wedding in France, she never expected to run into the French fashion designer who broke her heart fifteen years ago. Roman Duchaine is done with living life in the fast lane. Tired of being in the haute couture spotlight, he’s moved back to the small French village where he was born and raised. Roman’s ready to settle down and have a family until the lost love of his life arrives for his cousin’s wedding. Seeing her reminds him just how devastating falling in love can be. Their fragile truce is meant to last through the wedding, yet every second together makes their attraction and long-buried feelings undeniable. But old habits and hurts die hard, and while Roman is ready to weave their lives together, Genevieve can't afford to lose herself in his shadow. Pick up your copy today from Amazon.

12 Days of Christmas Blog Hop Button with Frame

As part of The 12 Days of Christmas celebration, Sloane donated a Paris-scented shower gel/lotion/mist set to the prize list. Click HERE for this and many more random drawings. To follow the celebration, find a new recipe, pick up a holiday decorating or shopping tip, click HERE.

About the Author

Debut author, Sloane Burke Collins, is thrilled to be a Soul Mate author. Her novella Love Redesigned won 1st place in the Contemporary category of the 2013 Indiana Golden Opportunity contest. She is a member of Romance Writers of America, Dallas Area Romance Authors, and Contemporary Romance Writers. Since Sloane and her husband love to travel, she has vowed to write a novel set in just about every place they visit. From the wilds of Maine, to the rocky coast of Oregon, to the lush paradise of Oahu, and the rolling hills of Ireland, all of it is fodder for Sloane to craft stories of love, intrigue, and perhaps a Paranormal or two. Sloane is a fifth-generation Texan, and after a stint in Missouri and Florida, she is back home now and lives in the Dallas area with her husband of over twenty-six years, and their four rambunctious cats (all named after characters in her favorite Julia Quinn novel). Connect: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

Wednesday, December 17, 2014

Great Gifts Under Ten Dollars at 12 Days of Christmas Blog Hop!

Secret Santa swaps at office Christmas parties can be fun...and frustrating. Often there are dollar limits that feel both reasonable and restrictive. Here are my ideas for the best gifts under $10:
  • Lottery tickets - exciting, and the chance of being the best gift of the party!
  • Homemade anything. I made cranberry bread yesterday, and have already had three co-workers circling my desk eyeing the slice I brought in for breakfast. It took me ten minutes to mix it and pop in the oven. I promise it would be well-received!
  • Wine. Especially this time of year, decent wines are on sale. Snatch one up!
  • Pretty travel mug (or for a guy, a local team's mug) stuffed with hot cocoa mix.
If you have any suggestions, please share with all of us!
Heather Miles  Merger  Book CoverToday I' m introducing you to Merger by Heather Miles Kasey Blakely doesn’t know that her date is anything more than incredibly hot. It’s after things have moved past friendship, that she learns her new lover is also slated to be her partner in a corporate merger. He knew it all along withholding his identity to have her. Self-assured, future CEO, Kasey Blakely stumbles into Joshua Crawford, leaving her breathless and momentarily senseless. Taken with her, he learns she’s more than just a beautiful woman, she’s slated to be his partner in a corporate merger. Never feeling as smitten or intrigued, he’ll do anything to have her, including, not revealing his last name. After a passionate exchange and the prospect he could lose her, does he come clean with his identity. Always confident, Kasey, struggles with her growing love for a man who has claimed her heart and changed her world, but should be forbidden. She’s all in…then all out. Despite the warnings not to mix business with pleasure, Kasey and Joshua risk it all. Committing to return to California with Joshua, Kasey’s world unravels. Were her fears right, or can they manage the MERGER of their hearts and their future partnership? Pick up your copy today at Amazon.

12 Days of Christmas Blog Hop Button with Frame
As part of The 12 Days of Christmas celebration, Heather donated a $15 Amazon card and a giant bar of chocolate to the prize list. Click HERE for this and many more random drawings. To follow the celebration, find a new recipe, pick up a holiday decorating or shopping tip, click HERE.

About the Author

Heather Miles was raised in Kansas City, but transplanted to the most culturally diverse place in the country…The Mississippi Delta. She resides in Cleveland, Mississippi with her husband Derek Miles, and is the mother of two incredible kids. Connect: Website | Facebook | Twitter

Tuesday, December 16, 2014

Cocktail Time at 12 Days of Christmas Blog Hop!

My absolute favorite Christmas cocktail is Bon Appetit's Hot Gingerbread Punch. Now I can't stand Guinness normally, but mixed with dark rum and cinnamon sticks, I predict you won't find a single person who doesn't want to gulp this down. Although, fair warning, it is quite strong, so gulping should not be encouraged. I do encourage you to try the recipe, though! http://www.bonappetit.com/recipe/hot-gingerbread-punch And if you have a favorite cocktail, please share!

Rebecca Neely  A Might Good Man  Book CoverI'm introducing you today to A Mighty Good Man by Rebecca E. Neely 3 days. 2 people. 1 story. ‘Hank’ Jerry, a down and out writer, and Jack Darcy, a former gang leader, team up to write his story for mutual gain and end up falling for each other. It’s not long before their romance is as hot as the copy she’s writing, but they’ve both got something to hide that could blow up in their faces, and with time running out and gang enforcers closing in, will the trust they’ve forged survive the ultimate test?

Pick up your copy today from Amazon.

12 Days of Christmas Blog Hop Button with Frame
As part of The 12 Days of Christmas celebration, Rebecca donated a $10 Amazon GC to the prize list. Click HERE for this and many more random drawings. To follow the celebration, find a new recipe, pick up a holiday decorating or shopping tip, click HERE.

About the Author

Rebecca E. Neely was born and raised in a small town in western Pennsylvania. Her father, an English teacher and a writer, instilled in her a love of words, and literature, especially short stories, at a young age. Her mother, a voracious reader, gave her Ballet Shoes by Noel Streatfeild as a Christmas gift when she was nine, and Rebecca’s been hooked on reading stories of all stripes ever since. Rebecca’s family also owned and managed a restaurant until she was about sixteen, and she grew up in the business, working, cooking, and eating. Rebecca enjoys finding, and reading new authors via her Kindle. Live music inspires her, as do the characters she's blessed to have in her life, including her daughter, her boyfriend, and her mother. She loves drawing, crafting, walking, and camping. She also enjoys traveling, going to music festivals, and exploring cities she’s never been to before with her daughter. In a former life, she earned a B.S. in Accounting, and worked in that field for about a decade. Since 2001, Rebecca has freelanced, writing a wide variety of copy for local magazines, and businesses all over the country. She is a member of Savvy Authors, and a PRO member of Romance Writers of America. Connect: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

Monday, December 15, 2014

Favorite Christmas Movies at 12 Days of Christmas Blog Hop!

I shamelessly, nay, proudly admit that I am a Christmas movie addict. The Hallmark and Lifetime channels have enabled this addiction with 24/7 programming full of Christmas romance for more than a month straight.It is heavenly. I especially like anything with royalty thrown into the mix. But hands down, my favorite Christmas movie is Love Actually. It has a kick-ass song, British accents, an plot that unfolds with the many layers of an onion, and an ending that makes me bawl every time. Sheer perfection! However, you are more than welcome to try and change my mind by listing your favorite.

Stephanie Berget  Sugar Water Ranch  Book CoverThe spotlight today is on Sugarwater Ranch by Stephanie Berget Bullrider Sean O’Connell’s life is perfect, or it was until his partying lifestyle affects his riding ability. Now he’s ended the season too broke to leave the Northwest for the warm southern rodeos. When a wild night with his buddies gets out of hand, he wakes up naked, staring into the angry eyes of a strange woman. His infallible O’Connell charm gets him nowhere with the dark-haired beauty. It’s obvious she’s not his usual good-time girl, so why can’t he forget her? Catherine Silvera finds a waterlogged, unconscious cowboy freezing to death in front of her uncle’s Sugarwater Bar. She saves his life—then runs faster than a jackrabbit with a coyote on its tail. Any man who makes his living rodeoing is bad news, especially if he thinks partying is part of the competition. He’s everything she doesn’t want in a man, yet she shake her attraction to the rugged cowboy. Buy Links: Amazon | B&N | Kobo

12 Days of Christmas Blog Hop Button with Frame

As part of The 12 Days of Christmas celebration, Stephanie donated a PB copy of Sugarwater Ranch with a keychain to the prize list. Click HERE for this and many more random drawings. To follow the celebration, find a new recipe, pick up a holiday decorating or shopping tip, click HERE.

About the Author

Born and raised in Boise, Idaho to city parents, I was a horse lover from the day I first watched My Friend Flicka. I began writing after I read a rodeo romance in which the romance was good, but the rodeo and horse information was so wrong.... I thought, how hard can it be to write a book? Five years and thousands of hours of study and writing, I know how hard it is. Writing well is just as hard to do well as it is to do anything well. I write Contemporary Rodeo Romance with a touch of magic. It's Romance with a Rodeo flair.

Sunday, December 14, 2014

Dessert Day at the 12 Days of Christmas Blog Hop!

I looooooove cooking. But even people who don't enjoy it the other eleven months of the year usually like to toss some flour and sugar around once the holidays hit. Our theme for the blog hop today is desserts, and I'm sharing one of my favorite festive recipes: cranberry swirl cheesecake. Best of all, it is from the brilliant minds at Cooking Light, so you can eat it guilt-free! The link takes you to my Pinterest page, so take a few extra minutes to poke around!

But this blog hop isn't just about yummy food. The other fun side to it is introducing you to new authors. And today I'm proud to feature Cynthia Gail and her Christmas book.


Winter's MagicWinter's Magic by Cynthia Gail Owner of La Bella Vita, a five-star day spa nestled in the affluent suburbs of Nashville, Tennessee, Beth Sergeant knows her elite clientele first hand. She attended their private schools. She was even engaged, although briefly, to one of their most recognized bachelors. But she never fit in to their social-elite world. After losing his parents to a car accident at a young age, Nick Chester was raised by his grandfather, the wealthiest man in Nashville. When he chooses to socialize, he has a never-ending list of exclusive events and beautiful women vying for his attention. Yet he never lets himself forget that everyone has an agenda. Beth can’t resist Nick’s charm and accepts an invitation to dinner, despite her deep-seated insecurities. She proves she’s nothing like other women Nick's dated and learns to trust him in return. But just as the last of their resistance crumbles and true love is within reach, challenges from Nick's past threaten to destroy everything and force Beth to reveal her most guarded secret. Pick up a copy today at Amazon.

12 Days of Christmas Blog Hop Button with Frame 
As part of The 12 Days of Christmas celebration, Cynthia donated a $10 Starbucks card, paired with a Bark Less Wag More coffee mug & author swag from Rachel Lacey to the prize list. Click HERE for this and many more random drawings. To follow the celebration, find a new recipe, pick up a holiday decorating or shopping tip, click HERE.

About the Author
My husband and I live in the suburbs of Nashville, Tennessee with our eighteen-year-old son and three dogs. When I’m not working or writing, I can be found with family and friends. I love to bake in the winter, grill in the summer, and on occasion, I sneak away from everyone and curl up with a good book. Connect: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

Saturday, December 13, 2014

12 Days of Xmas Blog Hop! Win Prizes! Discover New Authors!

I'm very excited to roll out the Twelve Days of Christmas Blog Hop. We have a whopping 22 authors participating. Each day has a theme (many revolving around recipes!), and each author swaps out introducing you to another. There will be prizes. There will be fun, and as always, a healthy dose of romance.

Don't worry, I'll make it very simple for you. Just come here every day, 12/14 - 12/24. You'll be able to bounce around to the rest of the hop from here. Think of me as your festive reading trampoline. See you tomorrow!

Friday, December 12, 2014

A Sweet, Funny, Chicago-Set Xmas Novella

It is that time of year when I get to remind the world that I have Christmas novellas! Two years ago I was privileged to be in an anthology with Jaci Burton and HelenKay Dimon, Romancing the Holiday. My story, Ask Her At Christmas is super sweet, romance-drenched and will transport you to the frost-covered Chicago holiday season.

Caitlin McIntyre's heart stops when her best friend drops to one knee and proposes. Kyle Lockhart never once hinted over the years that he has any idea she's in love with him. Not wanting to jeopardize their friendship, she's never let it slip. Good thing, too, since it turns out he's only practicing—he's about to propose to someone else.

A business merger might not be the most romantic reason to propose to a woman he barely knows, but Kyle's determined to win the respect of the dying father who's never seen him as quite good enough. Kyle's always depended on Caitlin's friendship, while trying to ignore the physical response she arouses. So he turns to her when it comes time to craft his proposal, not realizing his decision will affect their relationship, forever.

This Christmas, Kyle and Caitlin get one last chance to admit their feelings for each other, and find a mutual happily ever after, before he commits his life to another woman and Caitlin leaves town and him…for good.


You can purchase it at Carina Press - and to encourage you to do so, here's a sneak peek at Chapter One:
 


“Caitlin McIntyre, will you marry me?”
Her heart didn’t pound, it slammed to a standstill. It probably left thick red skid marks all over her lungs from how fast it threw on the brakes. Kyle Lockhart, her best friend in the world, was down on one knee in front of her station at the gift-wrapping booth. Which meant it was okay her heart had stopped, because she had to be dreaming. Her heart didn’t need to pump in a dream, right?
There was no other explanation for why Kyle would propose to her. Not that she objected in the least. He was super handsome, in a casually elegant yet decidedly sexy manner. His designer suits covered a body like those of the models in perfume ads, the toned and tanned men who dove into swimming pools shaped like a perfume bottle and came up glistening and wet. Thick black hair set off his blue eyes, and you could probably chisel a sculpture off his sharp cheekbones and jaw. Kyle was yummy from head to toe, and Caitlin had wanted him almost her entire life.
Of course, he didn’t know about her massive crush. She’d never hinted, never let her hands linger for an extra second on his abs when they shared sunscreen at the tiny strip of sand along Lake Michigan they called a beach. She’d never leaned over after splitting a bottle of wine and trailed a finger across the lips she would kill to have touch hers. No, Caitlin played the part of the best-friend-and-nothing-more-than-a-friend to the hilt. Because it would absolutely devastate her if she revealed her longing and he didn’t feel the same way. In a perfect world, guys always made the first move. In Caitlin’s world, it was the only way not to jeopardize the most important relationship in her life.
But how on earth did he leap from never once looking at her with a sexy gleam in his eye to going down on one knee in the middle of the Water Tower Place mall? If all the planets had magically aligned, all the gods smiled down on her and all her karmic balance suddenly tipped to one side, then Kyle might, just might finally see her as a woman and ask her out. Proposing marriage, though, was impossible. Which meant she was either fast asleep in her bed, or she’d slipped and hit her head getting off the El this morning. Ice coated the Chicago sidewalks from an early December sleet storm. A concussion would explain this. Or a hallucination from a brain hemorrhage. That would definitely explain the impossibility of Kyle’s proposal.
So if it was nothing more than a dream, why not enjoy it? Caitlin looked around, but all the other volunteer wrappers were busy putting away their supplies for the night. The wrapping booth was a fundraiser to purchase art supplies for local high schools, so the volunteers ran the gamut from tweens to grandparents. Crowds had finally thinned once it hit eight o’clock. Closer to Christmas that wouldn’t be the case, but with eighteen shopping days left, people weren’t yet panicked. She put down her roll of wrapping paper and looked at Kyle’s beaming face.
“This is so sudden.” She made a point of switching her gaze to his empty hands, folded on top of his knee. “How am I supposed to take your question seriously without a huge, shiny diamond ring to seal the deal?”
The smile disappeared faster than the stack of cashmere sweaters she’d seen on sale at Macy’s this morning. “You are so right. I’m an idiot. Of course, I should’ve brought a ring. But I’ll get one. Pretend I have a ring. Will you marry me?”
It sounded just as magical—and unbelievable—the second time he asked. If this was really a dream, wouldn’t her subconscious have made sure he brought along a one-carat, cushion-cut solitaire in a robin’s egg blue box? Now she leaned more toward concussion as an explanation. Clearly the drugs the hospital gave her must be interfering with her creative juices.
“Kyle, you’re my favorite person in the world. You’re smart and funny and movie-star handsome. What girl in her right mind wouldn’t want to marry you?”
“I agree.” He flashed her the smile that always turned her knees into pudding for a second and stood, brushing off his trousers. “But I’m worried that Monica might not be as cognizant of my charms as the two of us are. That’s why I need you to help me with my proposal. This was a test run.”
            Oh. Not a dream after all.