Today’s my featured spotlight on N.N. Light’s Book Heaven’s Fall into These Great Reads Bookathon. Highlighted is Laced By Love, Book 1 in the Entertainers of the West series. Click over to here and enter for a chance at winning a $150 Amazon gift card. Rafflecopter drawing ends September 30 with the winner being announced on October 1st.
Hi, everyone, Twinkle-Toes here, I’m so happy to be involved in this year’s blog hop because I love to dance and meet new people. I tie jingle bells to the curled toes of my slippers so I make music every time I walk. My favorite song that I sing often around the toy-making barn is “Santa Claus is Coming to Town” because I want everyone to get excited about the coming celebrations.
Another one of my favorite fun things to do is to decorate presents. A special shelf in Santa’s workshop holds last year’s Christmas cards. I grab down a few and find images to cut out, like a tree or a sleigh or a group of carolers or a star. If I’m careful, I can find two images from each card. By writing names on the back side, that cutout becomes a gift tag. I use a yard needle to poke a hole near the top and thread ribbon through or, if I don’t want to ruin the image, I tape the top to the wrapped package. Recycling makes me feel warm inside.
As a special thanks to you for visiting my blog, I’m giving away two ebook copies of A Year of Romance, an anthology of historical romance stories set around Halloween, Christmas, Valentine’s Day and Fourth of July. These stories comprise the first four titles in my Dorado, Texas series. Leave a comment to be eligible to win. If you have a favorite recycling tip, please share because I giggle when I find new ways to reuse.
Blurbs:
Wandering Home
Will a justice-seeking wanderer find solace on a ranch with a stubborn widow determined to protect what is hers?
Storybook Hero
Can a starry-eyed dreamer’s search for adventure overcome a taciturn man’s belief he has nothing to offer?
My Heart Knew
Will falling in love with a strong-willed cowboy be the adventure a tomboy maid has been seeking?
Sparked By Fire
Can a wounded soul find solace in the attentions from a cook who nurtures through her culinary creations?
I’ll pick the name of the winners and post an announcement here on December 11th.
Because this season is the time for giving, I want to tell you about a free book created by authors of one of my publishers. The 2017 The Wild Rose Press Garden Gourmet-A Holiday of Hacks includes helpful time-saving tips related to cooking and chores around the house. Get your copy here.
As a special stocking stuffer, here’s the link to a free story. Gingerbread Wishes is a contemporary romance set at Christmas and is the first title is my Sugar and Spice Bakery series.
You’ll want to meet my elf friends so be sure to hop on over to the other blog posts.
December 4
Holland Rae – https://hollandrae.com/
Susanne Matthews – https://mhsusannematthews.wordpress.com/
Sorchia DuBois – www.sorchiadubois.com
December 5
Tena Stetler – http://www.tenastetler.com/category/my-say-what-blog/
Maureen Bonatch – http://www.maureenbonatch.com/blog/
Peggy Jaeger – https://peggyjaeger.com/
Barbara Burke – https://barbaraburkeauthor.wordpress.com/
December 6
Kelly Kalmanson – http://kkweil.blogspot.com
M.S. Spencer – http://msspencertalespinner.blogspot.com
Hywela Lyn – www.hywelalyn.blogspot.com
Reggi Allder – https://reggiallder.blogspot.com/
December 7
Denyse Bridger – http://www.fantasypages.ca
Karen Blake-Hall – https://kaydenclaremont.wordpress.com/
Clair de Lune – https://clairdelunebooks.co.uk/
Casi McLean – http://casimclean.com/a-christmas-to-remember/
December 8
Darlene Fredette – http://findingthewritewords.blogspot.com
Daryl Devore – http://daryldevore.blogspot.ca
Gini Rifkin – http://ginirifkin.blogspot.com
OR see what’s happening at the Highway Cafe
A group of writer friends are hosting a blog tour with giveaways and fun details. My scheduled day is Friday, December 8th, but new posts will pop up each day. Follow along and see what each author has to offer.
December 4
Holland Rae – https://hollandrae.com/
Susanne Matthews – https://mhsusannematthews.wordpress.com/
Sorchia DuBois – www.sorchiadubois.com
December 5
Tena Stetler – http://www.tenastetler.com/category/my-say-what-blog/
Maureen Bonatch – http://www.maureenbonatch.com/blog/
Peggy Jaeger – https://peggyjaeger.com/
Barbara Burke – https://barbaraburkeauthor.wordpress.com/
December 6
Kelly Kalmanson – http://kkweil.blogspot.com
M.S. Spencer – http://msspencertalespinner.blogspot.com
Hywela Lyn – www.hywelalyn.blogspot.com
Reggi Allder – https://reggiallder.blogspot.com/
December 7
Denyse Bridger – http://www.fantasypages.ca
Clair de Lune – https://clairdelunebooks.co.uk/
Karen Blake-Hall – https://kaydenclaremont.wordpress.com/
Casi McLean – http://casimclean.com/a-christmas-to-remember/
December 8
Darlene Fredette – http://findingthewritewords.blogspot.com
Daryl Devore – http://daryldevore.blogspot.ca
Gini Rifkin – http://ginirifkin.blogspot.com
April 24 through April 26, 2017
Sponsored by the Highway Cafe including members from the Trans Canada Romance Writers, this tour introduces you to 17 total authors with posts about spring and giveaways. Links to all participating authors is here.
My anticipation of spring may be different than that experienced by others. My current residence is a cabin set on Forest Service land in the southern California mountains. Because of the strict guidelines about keeping the area in its natural state, I don’t get to enjoy tulips or other spring flowers or see the blossoming of cherry or almond trees. So I’ve learned to appreciate the difference in the wildlife during my five years here. I notice the return of the stellar jays and woodpeckers to the trees (as long as they stay there and don’t peck on my cabin walls) and incorporate their caws and rat-a-tat sounds, as well as the swishing of the leaves, into my background sounds.
While sitting on my front deck, I saw the chipmunks and squirrels have started their inspection of the camp, too. Watching their antics always brings a smile.
The other day I was thrilled to spot a bobcat running across the road less than a quarter mile from our camp. I even slowed to a stop and just stared at where it hunkered behind a log. On the next trip away from home, I saw a juvenile coyote trotting alongside the road.
The new life always brings a sense of looking forward and wondering what’s yet to come. Spend at least a few minutes outside everyday and find something in your area that brings enjoyment.
~*~*~
Hunt for the Easter eggs on my site and leave a comment where you found them for an extra chance at winning a copy of my contemporary story, Anything But Flowers. (print to US only, ebook for other locations). Completing the tasks in the rafflecopter below earn more entries.
And don’t forget to visit the other authors’ blogs by clicking here
The post may not be the top one but it’s there all three days.
Hi there, I’m Elf Sparkle
My job at the North Pole is decorating the wrapped packages with ribbons and bows or silk flowers or glitter. <giggle> I love glitter, and I love this job because I like making things look pretty.
Playing holiday music while I work keeps me energized. I switch between vocals like Celtic Ladies Christmas or carols by country artists and instrumentals like Mannheim Steamroller’s Christmas in the Aire.
My favorite holiday snack and drink. I can’t decide between pfefferrnusse cookies (spice cookies coated in powdered sugar) or thumbprint cookies (cookies rolled in chopped nuts with a dab of jam in the center). But I know my favorite drink is hot chocolate stirred with a mini candy cane.
I’m the Secret Santa for Elf Annie, who works in the kitchen concocting decadent hot cocoa for Santa’s sleigh ride and helping Mrs. Claus bake cookies. I’m giving Elf Annie a mini-grater for the final flourish of fresh cinnamon or nutmeg on top of the whipped cream Santa loves on his cocoa.
This winter/holiday recipe I got from my mother (although she was Midwest born and bred).
New England Cranberry Custard Pie
Ingredients:
4 eggs
½ teaspoon salt
¾ cup sugar
2/3 cup undiluted evaporated milk
1 cup water
1 teaspoon vanilla
½ teaspoon nutmeg
9” unbaked pastry shell
1 8-oz can whole berry cranberry sauce
3 tablespoons cornstarch
2 tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon grated orange rind
¼ cup chopped nuts
Combine eggs, salt, 3/4c sugar, evaporated milk, water, vanilla and nutmeg. Beat well. Pour into pastry shell. Bake in hot oven (425°) 10 minutes, reduce heat to 350° and bake 20-30 minutes more, or until knife inserted hallways between edge and center of pie comes out clean.
In small saucepan, stir cornstarch into cranberry sauce then add 2 T sugar. Heat until boiling, then boil one minute, stirring constantly. Stir in nuts and orange rind. Cool cranberry mixture before spooning over the custard. Cool 3-4 hours before serving. Makes 6-8 servings.
My holiday gift to participants on this blog tour is that each task completed in the attached rafflecopter earns a chance in a random drawing for a print copy of One Winter Knight, a medieval winter holiday anthology of 8 stories, or an electronic copy of Silent Signals, a historical western novella.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
TAG LINE: Will the valley’s feud between cattlemen and shepherds keep Konrad and Anora apart? BLURB: After losing half his herd in the Great Blizzard of 1886, rancher Konrad Werner needs to safeguard his cattle. Tomboy Anora Huxley trains the Australian Shepherds and Kelpies that run the family’s sheep herd. Although cattlemen and shepherds are at odds, the pair discovers common interests. A threat is overheard, and Konrad rides out to Anora’s ranch to protect her. The tense situation reveals their true feelings. Will Anora be swayed by family loyalty, or will she listen to her heart that responds to Konrad’s silent signals? Buy link for all electronic formats: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/681040 Here are the sites for the other participating authors. Visit them for more holiday fun, recipes and giveaways. http://transcanadaromancewriters.blogspot.ca/2016/12/highway-cafe-christmas-blog-tour.html http://www.findingthewritewords.blogspot.com/ http://www.tenastetler.com/my-blog/ https://barbaraburkeauthor.wordpress.com/ www.writerknapsack.com http://msspencertalespinner.blogspot.com/ http://www.maureenbonatch.com/blog/ http://www.sorchiadubois.com/
http://casimclean.com/casis-christmas-…cal-mystery-tour/ https://kaydenclaremont.wordpress.com/ http://mariahlynneauthor.blogspot.com/
http://kkweil.blogspot.com http://www.clairdelunebooks.co.uk/
Enjoy an excerpt of seven paragraphs from On With The Show
The man who’d spoken had his back to the door, a broad back that stretched the black t-shirt imprinted with Reinhardt’s Hardware, family owned since 1854. A fact the Reinhardt family was immensely proud of, but the crux of the reason she and Dietz had gone their separate ways. “Hello, Dietz.”
With a slow move, the tall, black-haired man turned and ran his gaze over her face. “Well, Franziska Mueller…to what do I owe this pleasure?”
The smile on his lips didn’t reach his blue eyes. A fact she knew was totally her fault. “I just came in on the westbound train for my Thanksgiving visit and nobody was there to meet me. Erich Bruno happened by and he was driving me out to the ranch when he had to respond to a call.” Again, both her tale and her voice sounded pathetic. Inside her coat pockets, both hands drew into fists. God, facing Dietz one-on-one was harder than she’d thought the interaction would be. “Can I use your phone?”
“Pay phone’s outside the front door.”
Frustration tightened her body. All she wanted was to get to the ranch. “What is with this town and pay phones?” She paced away a couple of steps and back to face him. “Normally, I’d use my cell but the battery needs charging. I don’t have coins for a call.” Could she sound any more unprepared for life?
“So, you’re askin’ me for a favor?” Black eyebrows arched over crystal blue eyes, and he leaned an elbow on the counter. “Is that what I’m hearing?”
Connecting with that oh-so-familiar expression brought back too many memories. As much as she hated doing so, she pasted on her friendliest smile. “Yes, Dietz, I’m asking to…pretty please”—she added a fluttering of eyelashes—“use the store’s phone to call the ranch.”
BUY LINKS
To read excerpts from the other authors participating in this week’s My Sexy Saturday, click here
One of the aspects of writing historicals that I love is developing characters who are caught in the middle of the immigrant experience and their new reality of living in the America of the 1800s. Some characters are the ones who have taken that immigrant voyage. Sometimes they are the next generation, born here but being raised by those whose early years were spent elsewhere. But, in my mind, they would still be immersed in the cultural traditions and ethnic cuisines of their home country.
In those times, oral tradition was important as a way to teaching, as well as keeping the family’s history alive. So the young ones would hear stories about the older ones’ experiences, and probably quite often. Well-established traditions from Europe would be carried across the ocean and kept alive in America.
Although the author of the first mention of nesting birds in relation to Valentine’s Day is disputed between Geoffrey Chaucer, Pardo from Valencia, John Gower from England, and Otton de Grandson from Savoy, the time period is acknowledged as the late 1300s in equating romantic love and February 14th. (Many scholars credit Chaucer’s Parlement of Foules as being the first recorded association.) Of course, that’s if you totally ignore the city of Rome’s festival of Lupercalia which was associated with fertility and celebrated on February 13-15.
The fact that in 1797, a British publisher printed a volume titled The Young Man’s Valentine Writer is evidence a practice was in place for penning notes to members of the opposite sex. This volume helped those less literarily inclined. The popularity of paper Valentines became so widespread that factories mass-produced them in the early 1800s.
I used the tradition of expressing romantic feelings through a Valentine in my story, Between The Lines. (which is included in the eight-author anthology, Lariats, Letters, and Lace.) My logic was the tradition would have been transported from England (in this case, not directly by my characters) and even people living in a small Gold Rush town would be aware of it.
Giveaway
Two copies of Lariats, Letters, and Lace will be given away by random selection from those who leave a comment.
BLURB
Dance hall girl Daisy Shaddock and her miner brother, Perry, work toward a mutual goal of owning a book shop. Perry’s partner Walt Renfrid arrives in town, dreading the promise he must fulfill—delivery of a fateful letter. Recognizing Daisy, Walt can’t resist delaying his purpose for a few stolen moments in her company. Will the news he must deliver push her away or draw the couple closer?
Other TransCanada Romance Writer authors participating in this blog hop are:
Congratulations on winning the prize, Carrie!! I’m so happy for you!! I’ll be in touch privately.
I want to thank all of you who have stopped by and read this interview. I also want to thank those who commented. Your kind words have meant so much to me!
And thank you, Linda, for having me on your blog! I really appreciated the opportunity to chat with you and your readers!
I hope that you all have a wonderful day, and if you get a chance to read “Time Tsunami,” I hope you really love it!
Thanks again!
Danele Rotharmel
Why I’m grateful for books:
Growing up a shy child, books were the friends I wished to have. Reading about brave or adventurous story characters helped me absorb just a little of those elements. Pippi Longstocking was an elementary school favorite because she was so bold, outrageous and had super-strength. Not go to school? Sail away on the ocean with a horse and monkey as pets? Those actions were daring to imagine but very far outside my suburban experience. This is about the time I discovered the Little House books and what young city girl didn’t want to get into such innocent mischief like she did. I’ve re-read the series a couple of times, attributing the beginning of my love of historical fiction to that series.
When I hit that age when all girls seemed to yearn to own a horse, I discovered My Friend Flicka, The Black Stallion, National Velvet and Black Beauty. Those books were read and re-read, and plastic horses were integrated into my Barbie doll collection. Then I discovered the Nancy Drew series and imagined myself as a young crime-solving detective. And oh, Nancy drove such a sporty little car. During high school and college, pleasure reading took a backseat except for the occasional “must read” like The Exorcist or Roots.
While raising my kids, I always made sure to include a wide diversity of type of books in our family read-aloud titles. From their homework assignments, I was introduced to new authors and exciting characters in stories that became much-beloved. I remember one summer of several novels having death as a theme and those titles are imprinted as definite tear-jerkers. Like the movies you’re glad you saw but won’t seek out again for a repeat viewing.
Now, as a writer, I build on all I’ve learned from those stories and always have the fervent wish that a story I’ve created has the power to evoke emotion in the reader.
Please enter the rafflecopter giveaway below for a chance at the audio version (3 copies) of historical Christmas novella, The Ring That Binds, or an ebook of On With The Show, a Thanksgiving-themed contemporary novella. [if the icon doesn’t appear, use this link: http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/585af0479/? ]
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Also participating in the blog hop are the following authors:
On this month’s post for the Romancing the 8 blog hop with other TransCanada Romance Authors, I’m announcing my entry in a contest.
My Halloween-set novella, Unlocked Treasure, passed the nomination round for the Readers’ Choice Award sponsored by The Romance Reviews. From now until October 31st, voting continues and I’d love to have a good showing. Click here to be taken to the listing which appears in the Contemporary Romance category. A simple sign-in must be done.
BLURB
Aleen MacRae blames the lure of the sea for breaking apart first her family then her engagement. When her interest is caught by a man she sees both in person and in a dream, she resists—afraid to believe in her aunt’s prediction that her future is tied to the sea.
Braden Williams is on the hunt for treasure buried centuries earlier by Rhode Island pirates. His search brings him to the property where Aleen lives. Collaboration on genealogy research draws them closer, and Braden steers her toward his true passion–sailing.
Attending a party with Braden’s family lets her glimpse what she’s been missing. An unexpected discovery before her date with Braden forces a decision. Will Aleen play things safe or accept what this free-spirited man offers?
QUESTION
My research revealed an unique event that takes place at Brown University in Providence, RI at midnight on Halloween night. Attendees enter a darkened Sayles Hall with flashlights and get comfortable. A spotlight highlights the balcony and an organ recital begins. Does your city have a one-of-a-kind event to celebrate the holiday?
BUY LINKS
Other participating authors