Wednesday, December 24, 2014

The LAST Day of Christmas has a HOT ending with "Bang the Drummer" by Desiree Holt

Hosting my fellow Twelve Brides of Christmas authors this month has been a blast! Not only did I meet some amazing women, I read all of their holiday stories, making this a magical Christmas already! The last book celebrating the 12th Day of Christmas is called "Bang the Drummer" and wow!! What a HOT book to warm you up, thanks to the talented Desiree Holt. Welcome, Desiree! Can you tell us about your book--especially the yummy title and cover!!

Buy the book HERE
With Christmas practically right around the corner, I wanted to share a taste of my newest Christmas story. Bang the Drummer is part of The 12 Brides of Christmas from The Wild Rose Press Spicy version of 12 drummers drumming! A Recommended Read from All Romance eBooks.

One lucky person will win a copy of this book. Just leave me a comment with your favorite Christmas memory, plus your email. I’ll pick the winner late tonight.

Blurb:
Jill Kennedy has plans for a Christmas wedding. She's put down deposits for the flowers, photos, and venue. Now all she needs is a groom. A drummer who'll keep her life as steady as he keeps the beat to his music. With her good friend Charlie Costello as her wingman, she'll interview percussionists, one per month until she finds the right tempo. But with Christmas approaching and no groom in sight, she's starting to wonder if she'll ever bang the drummer of her dreams.

Excerpt:
Jill Kennedy curled up on her couch studying her iPad, frowning. Her Christmas tree still twinkled in the corner although the holiday was long past. Coldplay’s latest CD bumped its tunes out from her iPod docking station. The last of her Christmas candles flicked in glass holders on the coffee table, filling the room with the scent of pine and cranberry. She should be feeling mellow, but instead her nerves were jumping and a headache was creeping slowly up from the nape of her neck.
Charlie Costello lounged next to her, sock feet resting on her coffee table, his hands tapping a steady rhythm on his thighs in time to the song.
Jill tucked a strand of her shoulder-length sable-colored hair behind her ear as she studied the information on the iPad screen.
“I think I’ve got everything taken care of. Booked the Creekside Winery. Ordered the decorations. Set up a tasting for the food and Stella’s designing the wedding cake.” She glanced up at Charlie. “Why are you looking at me in that strange way?”
He gave her his familiar lop-sided grin. “You are the only woman I know who plans and pays for her wedding without knowing who the groom is.”
She flipped a hand at him. “I’ll have one by then. It’s in the plan. You know.”
He threw back his head and laughed. “Yeah, I love your interview process. You aren’t even dating anyone right now.”
“Because look how poor my choices were in that arena, right?”
He snorted. “So this is better? Tell me how?”
Jill pulled up another memo on her iPad. “Okay. I have a list.”
“A list? This I gotta hear. Lay it on me.”
 If she didn’t need his help so badly, she would have smacked him. “It’s very specific. I asked around about different drummers in different bands and narrowed it down to the twelve most likely prospects. You know. Twelve drummers drumming, for Christmas.”
“Like a grocery list,” he teased.
“No, Charlie.” Damn him! “Like an interview process for a job.”
“Is that what this is, kitten? A job?”
“It’s a lifetime commitment,” she sniffed. She wished he’d just let her get on with this. All these questions were making her have tiny doubts about the wisdom of her decision. She gave herself a mental shake. “I’ll do one a month until I hit on the right one. The exact right one. First I check out their musical talent and their band history.”
Charlie gave a roar of laughter. “Because that’s such a requirement for stability?”
“Because it has to be a drummer so I need his performance history,” she snapped.
“Maybe it’s a different kind of performance you should be worrying about.”
“That comes later. After the phone calls and the coffee dates to see how he is in person and match our likes and dislikes.”
“Coffee dates?” He cocked an eyebrow. “Not even a romantic dinner?”
She wanted to sling the iPad at him. “I’ve been that route, remember? The whole nine yards, and what did I get? A bunch of losers. No, I’m doing this like a project for work. As a systems analyst, she knew the importance of things being able to mesh on a practical basis. ”
So you’re going to interview these bozos and then—what?”
Drummers,” she told him. “Interviewing drummers.”
He cocked his head. “And that’s why?”

“I told you.” She blew out a breath of exasperation. “Drummers have the best beat. The best tempo. They’re the heart of the band.” She grinned. “And have the best rhythm in bed.”

BUY Links for "Bang the Drummer"

Monday, December 22, 2014

"The Tenth Suitor," by Laura Strickland, is the feature for the 10th Day of Christmas!

We're almost at the end of our Twelve Brides of Christmas series! Today's holiday story is by the talented Laura Strickland, and is called "The Tenth Suitor." The cover, with its castle background, captured me immediately, and then with the blurb and excerpt--I was hooked! I've already purchased my Kindle copy, and am looking forward to digging in. Welcome, Laura! Tell us a little bit about your book, and I understand you're offering a GIVEAWAY of a Christmas novella, as well?
Buy this book HERE

I’m so pleased to be here today as part of the “12 Brides of Christmas” Author Spotlight! For a chance to win an electronic copy of my other Christmas novella released this year, MRS. CLAUS AND THE VIKING SHIP, just comment with your answer to this question: 

As the heroine of THE TENTH SUITOR discovers, Christmas is the perfect time for romance, so what’s the most romantic Christmas gift you ever received? (We’ll need to keep it PG, please!) I’ll bet you have some beautiful stories to share!

I will be choosing one random comment by noon tomorrow for the free e-copy of my magical story, so be sure to comment below!

I think it’s such a lovely idea to have twelve wonderful Christmas tales about brides and true love. Here’s a little bit about my book, THE TENTH SUITOR, including an excerpt and some buy links for you! Thanks for stopping by, and I hope everyone has a warm and wonderful holiday season!

When Edwina Armstrong’s father invites ten titled lords to spend Christmas at his estate so Edwina may choose one for a husband, she finds the idea romantic. She dreams of gazing into the eyes of one of her suitors and falling deep in love. But it soon becomes apparent the lords in question are far more interested in gaining her father’s estate than Edwina’s hand.
Thorstan’s in attendance but he hasn’t been invited and he’s no lord. A former mercenary, he’s come disguised as a fool to get near Edwina, long adored from afar.  Edwina quickly falls for his charm and quirky humor even though she fears her father will never approve of a commoner for her husband.  But when Edwina is abducted, only Thorstan—a skilled swordsman— has hope of rescuing her in time for the promised Christmas wedding.

 THE TENTH SUITOR excerpt:
Edwina quickened her steps, and the fool drew her arm more closely against his side.  Oh, highly improper, but at the moment she did not care. 
                A guard stood at the gate.  Edwina nodded to him, and they passed into the chill of the evening, and a wash of moonlight.
                A stone wall lay to the left; Edwina urged her escort there and drew a deep draught of air.  “You are right, Lord Fool.  Much better.”
                “’Lord Fool’?” he questioned, his mouth beside her ear.
                “If you can call me ‘lady,’, I can call you ‘lord.’.”  She turned her head and found her face very near his.  Aye, most improper – but it was such a luxury to be with a man taller than she.
                Too bad he was just a fool.
                He leaned on the wall beside her.  “My fool’s wisdom tells me you are not enjoying this great pageant staged for your benefit.”
                “That I am not.”
                “Yet I hear there is much gaiety and frolic yet to come–a play, and even a masked dance.”
                “Aye.  Perhaps you can attend as a fool.”
                “Perhaps I will.  If I do, will you dance with me?”  He caught both her hands and, in true fool’s fashion, whirled her about in the cold air until her breath came fast and she laughed aloud.  Edwina could no longer hear the music from inside, but the fool hummed a tune in a deep, velvety voice.  The moonlight flickered around them, striping his face in brightness and then shadow until all she could see was the laughter in his eyes.  When they came to rest at last, she leaned against him.
                “You should laugh more often,” he said.  “It makes you even more beautiful.”
                Suddenly Edwina felt breathless from more than the whirling dance. 


Buy Links for THE TENTH SUITOR:


Author Bio:

Born and raised in Western New York, Laura Strickland has pursued lifelong interests in lore, legend, magic and music, all reflected in her writing. Though her imagination frequently takes her to far off places, she is usually happiest at home not far from Lake Ontario with her husband and her "fur" child, a rescue dog. Author of Scottish romance Devil Black as well as The Guardians of Sherwood Trilogy consisting of Daughter of Sherwood, Champion of Sherwood and Lord of Sherwood, she is currently working on the second book of a new Steampunk romance series and has two Christmas novellas releasing this season: The Tenth Suitor and Mrs. Claus and the Viking Ship. 
Author Web Page: www.laurastricklandbooks.com  

Sunday, December 21, 2014

The 9th Day of Christmas brings "Faerie Faith" by Silver James!

If you've been following my blog, you'll know that today is the 9th Day of Christmas, and in honor of this day, my fellow Twelve Brides of Christmas author, Silver James, has penned a delicious romance called "Faerie Faith." Welcome, Silver!
Thank you so much for hosting me today for the fantastic “12 Brides of Christmas” Author Spotlight! In my book, FAERIE FAITH, Abhean, the Fae Harper, has been exiled to the mortal realm and stripped of his memory and his magic. He’s now a street musician in New York City during the Christmas holidays. With so many great Christmas movies set in NYC, I’ve always wanted to experience Christmas in the Big Apple.

For a chance to win a FREE e-copy of FAERIE FAITH—my magical holiday story—comment below with your answer to my holiday question:

If you could go to NYC during the Christmas season, what one thing would be on your Must Do List? Macy’s Christmas Parade? The Rockettes? Ice skating at Rockefeller Center? And because I’m a writer, I want to know why your chose this activity. Don’t forget to leave a comment for a chance to win. You must also leave your email address in your comment so I can contact you if you win! I’ll randomly select a winner on Christmas Eve so make sure I have your emails!

Here’s a little bit about my book, FAERIE FAITH, including an excerpt and the places where you can find it. Thanks again for stopping by, and don’t forget to comment for a chance to WIN!!!

FAERIE FAITH Blurb:
Abhean, the fae Harper, is exiled to the mortal realm until he finds the other half of his heart. As Venn McLyre, the NYC street musician, he has no memory of his true nature—or his magic. When he steps in to save reluctant bride, Gwyneth Riley, he could lose more than his heart—he could lose his immortality.

Socialite Gwyn Riley is resigned to marrying Sumner Barrett, son of her mother’s best friend. A marriage based on duty to family and convenience, she has no pretensions about love. It takes the magic touch of a poor musician to open her heart to the possibilities. When three couples arrive to remind Venn of his identity, he has only moments to stop Gwyn’s wedding. Is he too late, or will the King of Tir Nan Óg step in to grant Abhean and Gywn their own happy ever after?

FAERIE FAITH Excerpt:
Hours stretched into days, and finally, Venn could stand it no longer. He grabbed his duffel stuffed with instruments and headed out. He would drown his sorrow in music. He would fill the air with laments until the
whole city’s heart broke and the people wept with him. He caught the subway, traveling close to Times Square before he de-trained. The crowds here were good, filled with holiday cheer. The trains ran on a schedule that gave him time for a song between. He took up his station between the platform and the turnstiles. Setting out his copper pot, he withdrew the soft fiddle case from his duffel and pulled out his violin. After a few tweaks, he pulled his bow across the strings. People paused. He flexed his fingers and began to play.

Notes ripped from the depths of his soul filled the air, each one dripping a tear. His hair flew around his face as he coaxed the tune from wood and string. The violin wailed, baring Venn’s tortured soul. Then it wept but offered no consolation for his loss. Gwyn. Her name was both a prayer and a curse on the tip of his tongue. How could one woman bring him to the depths of despair? He’d sworn never to love, but he’d had no choice. She stole into his heart, surrounding its darkness with light and sweetness, with sunset hair and Galway blue eyes.

He finished the song, one dredged from his soul, on a last sighing note. Silence thundered in his ears. A woman stepped forward, tears streaking her perfect makeup. She dropped money in his pot and moved on.

Buy Links for FAERIE FAITH:


Author Bio:

Silver James likes to take walks on the dark side and coffee. Okay. She loves coffee. LOTS of coffee. Warning: Her Muse, Iffy, runs with scissors and can be quite dangerous. She’s the author of two award-winning urban fantasy series, Moonstruck and The Penumbra Papers. She's been a military officer's wife, mother, state appellate court marshal, airport rescue firefighter and forensic fire photographer, crime analyst, technical crime scene investigator, and writer of magic and mystery. Now retired from the “real world,” she lives in Oklahoma and spends her days at the computer with two Newfoundland dogs, the cat who rules them all, and myriad characters all clamoring for attention. She writes dark paranormal thrillers, time travel romance, and sexy contemporary romance. To find out more about Silver, visit her at www.silverjames.com, like her on FACEBOOK, or follow her infrequent tweets at @SilverJames_. You can also sign up for SILVER’S NEWSLETTER by clicking.