Winter Fairy is back!

I’m pleased to share with all of you that Winter Fairy is once again available for purchase, but with a whole new look.  Also new, this universal buy link. If it works, you should be directed to the retailer of your choice. If it doesn’t work, let me know.

Thanks to everyone who encouraged me to get Winter Fairy republished. This is my “little book that could,” and I’m glad so many of you have read and recommended it to friends looking for a holiday romance.

Currently, Winter Fairy is only available as an ebook, but if I get enough requests for paper or audio, I’ll see if I can make that happen.

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Beat the Cold with Hot For Teacher

Look what came out today – Crimson Romance’s ten ebook bundle called Hot for Teacher and yours truly is included in this bundle of books that should take the chill off some cold winter nights.

If you haven’t picked up my Winter Fairy, this is a great time to do so. And if you have, there are 9 other romances featuring a teacher that you can get on the cheap, as in under a dollar for great reads from Peggy Bird, Lynn Crandall, Liv Rancourt, Nancy C. Weeks and more.

Pick up Hot for Teacher at Amazon, Barnes&Noble, and more

Presents or Gifts? Choose your #ChristmasTreats

What are our favorite Christmas Treats? Books, of course! Stop by each blog for a chance to win fabulous books & gifties for the Holidays!  

As part of the Christmas Treats giveaway hop, I’m giving away an ebook copy of Tidings of Love: 7 Holiday Romance Novellas, which contains my Winter Fairy, AND a $5 gift card to Starbucks so you can treat yourself to a yummy coffee drink.

As the end of the year giving season grips so many of us in its clutches, I’m often struck by the absurdity of the Christmas morning ritual of ripping off piles of shiny wrapping paper to unearth items I bought for myself a month ago. Since reaching adulthood, I tend to get a lot more presents rather than gifts. What is the difference you ask? I’ve given this a lot of thought. Probably too much thought for the relative weight of the issues, but here goes.

A present is presented to you. The giver gives you something you requested. They spent the money to buy a specific item on your list. Or maybe, they wrote you a check or gave you the cash to buy the item for yourself for the express purpose of having something to unwrap on Christmas morning. There is not much thought behind a ritual presentation of an item you want, but a present shows the giver listened.

A gift is an item given from the giver’s heart. It is unexpected but thoughtful. The gift can be big or small, useful or not, but it expresses the relationship between the giver and the recipient.

I love giving gifts, but find it hard this time of year when I am under the obligation to shop and buy specific items for so many people. I spend a lot of time buying presents, but I try to include a few gifts as well. I shop for gifts year round, or more to the point, gifts shop for me. I can be purchasing the most banal household items and something will catch my eye. It could be a goofy paper napkin pattern or a sale on a flavored coffee that a dear friend loves. A gift something that will bring joy to a recipient, which in turn gives joy to the giver.

Books make terrific gifts and terrific presents. There are loads of books and other goodies up for grabs in the Christmas Treats hop. Enter my rafflecopter here to be entered for the ebook and giftcard and be sure to visit all the authors through the linky-list.

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Spotlight on Winter Dreams

I’m cheating this week by stepping into my own spotlight, but I’m sharing the stage with the six other authors who appear in Winter Dreams 7 Heartfelt Holiday Romances

Winter’s crisp cold is the perfect backdrop for holiday lights, snowball fights, and starry nights by the fire, curled up with hunky heroes. Let these seven couples show you how to find the warmth of red-hot romance.

• Christmas Dinner: Amanda dreads returning home single for Christmas, but the only available man is her rival for the TV anchor spot. Can the holiday spirit turn animosity into love? By Robyn Neeley
• The Winter Fairy: Recuperating ballerina Penelope Glazier can enchant the young girls in her class, but will her magic work on Carson Langley, the sexy but straight-laced single father of her most talented student? By Lola Karns
• Holiday Hoopla: Halle is about to lose her gift shop, until banker Blake walks into her life, dangling an offer that could save it all, or cost her everything. By Dana Volney
• Wynter’s Journey: Twelve years after tragedy tore Wynter and Sam apart, can another predicament bring them back together? By Jennifer DeCuir
• The Winter Promise: War throws Lady Emma and Lord Robert together, where they must decide if they can listen to their hearts – or if they would be wiser never to trust each other.  By Jenny Jacobs
• Winter Storms: Daniel’s sailing accident cost Carly her shot at Olympic dreams, while his own athletic success was unhindered. Now he’s returned and they’re stuck in the Cornish village where storms lash them from outside – and within. By Lucy Oliver
• Old Christmas: Casey needs help from the magic that walks on Old Christmas Eve to find her way back home, and to the love she left behind. By Kathryn Brocato

 

We hope you enjoy this terrific way to discover new-to-you authors. With these diverse stories, you bound to find something to love, especially since the bundle is priced under a dollar (US).

Now available through Amazon (US), Barnes&Noble, Amazon (UK),  and Crimson Romance.

Deals like this are too good to last.

Bundle up with Winter Fairy!

My debut novel Winter Fairy is getting a new look and some great company in time to celebrate the holidays.

For less than a cup of coffee or cookie at a bakery, you can get Winter Fairy and six other holiday titles, Christmas Dinner by Robyn Neeley, Holiday Hoopla by Dana Volney, Wynter’s Journey by Jennifer DeCuir, The Winter’s Promise by Jenny Jacobs, Winter Storms by Lucy Oliver and Old Christmas by Kathryn Brocato.  For the cost of one full-price e-book, you can get all seven, plus the coffee and cookie. Now that’s a deal. Enjoy. You deserve it.

Available now through Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Crimson Romance direct.

First Friday Five – Holiday Cheer Specifics

By now, you’ve likely been inundated with ways to simplify the holidays, bring on cheer, buy the most stuff for the least money and how to give thoughtful homemade gifts. ‘Tis the season indeed. Most of the articles and gifs serve to remind me of my handicraft foibles, and make me guilty that I’ve spent too much, too little or all my money in the wrong place.  Add in all too frequent encounters with any Alvin and the Chipmunks song, and the cacophony threatens to put this writer of holiday stories in a bad mood.  Sound familiar?

As an antidote, I’m sharing 5 specific things that reawaken my holiday cheer. Maybe they’ll work for you.

1. Spritz cookies.

From SouthernPlate.com

If your mouth is watering, then you know exactly what I mean. These buttery gems are not the easiest cookies to make. You need lots of butter, a cookie press, patience, and strong arms, but the results are worth it.

2. Cheese and Cracker Trays.  Count calories in January. For now, pass the espresso parmesan, or the warm brie, or the cheese curds, or the …. you get the idea.

3. Illuminated Trees.  I love twinkling lights, but whether in a front yard or a family room or on a city street, illuminated trees make my heart pitter-patter. Lights on a house or a building don’t have the same organic shapes.

4. Even though my mom never cooked chicken and collard greens, I have a soft spot for Run DMC’s Christmas in Hollis, the song and the video.

5. And if all else, fails, there’s nothing like a cup of hot chocolate spikes with a candy cane.

This list has made me hungry. Time to put number 4 on the radio, drink some 5, set out some 2 to nibble on while I make 1 so they will be ready in time to take a stroll to see number 3.

What puts you in the holiday spirit this season, no matter what you celebrate?

P.S. – My holiday romance, Winter Fairy is being rereleased as part of  Winter Dreams: 7 Heartfelt Holiday Romances.

My Writing Process.

The lovely Lynn Crandell

invited me to discuss my writing process. You can find her at http://thewritewaycafe.blogspot.com/.

1) What am I working on? I’ve been doing some rewrites on a first person New Adult before sending it to the agent who expressed an interest. No names or details yet, but I’m excited for this manuscript to emerge from its chrysalis. I’m plotting a follow-up to my forthcoming release. And Bad Traveler will be available soon from Decadent Publishing. I’ve gone through several rounds of edits, but am pleased with the final product.

2. How does my work differ from others of its genre? A fellow writer once described my work as “sophisticated.” The word applies to my first release, Winter Fairy, but I also try to blend highbrow and lowbrow culture and humor. Also, I’m inclined to give at least one if not both of my main characters an unusual job or hobby. I have so much fun doing research. Did you know there are professional pet food tasters?

3. Why do I write what I write? People are fascinating, especially when they interact. When I sat down to write my first book, I knew relationships would be at the core. In my first two published works, the romantic relationship takes the lead, but I’m still experimenting with genre. I love an optimistic ending. I hope my readers do too. When life seems overwhelming (the cat’s sick, the toilet flooded and the hubs has to work late again), laughter and hope between the pages of a book can be a lifeline to sanity.

4. How does my writing process work? Slowly. My process evolves with every book. In my first manuscript, I struggled with character consistency. I’ve tried fill-in-the-blank sheets for characterization, but this last time I tried using a bubble-idea chart. I love the organic nature of it. I identify the GMC for major plot points before I begin writing, but I allow fluidity in how I get there. I also tend to hand write my first drafts. The motion of the pen on paper helps me focus. It probably slows me down because of the duplicate writing time, but I find I don’t obsess over the little squiggly lines on the computer screen.

Want to read the results?  Winter Fairy is available now at Amazon, iTunes, Barnes and Noble , Google Books and more.

Sign up for my newsletter or follow this blog to find out the release date for Bad Traveler.

I have tagged three wonderful writers, Jenna Jaxon, Karen Y. Bynum and Tamara Hughes to continue the fun. Since Tamara does not have a blog (yet), I’m hosting her answers next Monday. See you then!

TRR YES! party and giveaway

Hope you’re having fun at The Romance Reviews’ Year End Splash Party!    I  love a party, especially one with good food and better friends and prizes.  There are more than 400 participating authors and publishers, which means there are more than 400 prizes up for grabs during the whole month of November. The Grand prize is a $100 Gift Certificate! Now that’s a party!

Widowed doctor, Carson Langley, hero of my contemporary romance, Winter Fairy, also enjoys good food. He may not care much for ballet, shopping and prizes, but he would like to become better friends with his daughter Eloise’s  ballet teacher, Penelope, especially after she offers to babysit Eloise so he can do some Christmas shopping. Hope you enjoy and don’t forget to answer the question at the main TRR site for your chance to win a copy of Winter Fairy and more.  The question for my site goes live on NOVEMBER 5TH

   Wandering in and out of stores, he covered most of his list. He had so many bags for Eloise he’d put one round in the car already, but the feeling that he was forgetting something—or someone—nagged at him. Checking his watch, he had plenty of time before the stores closed. He looped past the food court and theater as a movie let out. Couples spilled out. Everyone seemed to be holding hands and smiling, except him. As he walked past a store with frilly shiny and sparkly bangles and baubles, he decided to pop in to find a headband to go with the bright red holiday dress Eloise picked out in a catalog. Seeing the silver fairy necklace as soon as he entered, he realized who he left off his list.

    He thought about Penelope more than seemed appropriate. None of Eloise’s other teachers invaded his thoughts the way she had. He had physical needs and desires. But the frequency with which she appeared in his dreams left him restless and tired. Every morning, he ran through his personal litany of objections. She was too young. She had to be at least twelve years younger than him since she went to high school with John.  She acted too much like a kid to be capable of disciplining one. She was going away. She would leave him and Eloise and break both their hearts. He couldn’t go through that again.

   He should put down the necklace before he reached the register, but it still hadn’t left his hands, even as he sorted through the headband display. The chain caught on one of the bands—what could have become a tangled mess actually turned out fortuitous. When he reached for the chain, he spotted a headband the perfect shade of red to match his daughter’s dress. As he gently unwound the chain from the headband’s bow, the fairy charm fell against his palm. The fairy’s legs crossed delicately about mid-calf. Penelope had folded her legs the same way at the kitchen table last week. He grinned as he paid for both items, and not because he had finished his shopping.

  Walking across the parking lot, the cool air slapped his face. Stars twinkled, a sight leaving him awed. Perhaps, he should stop moping and move on. Damn the consequences.

Penelope is waiting for Carson to return home.  Read Winter Fairy to find out what happens next.

To be entered to win your copy of Winter Fairy and be eligible for the $100 Gift Certificate, visit Total Romance Reviews Year End Splash!

Before you leave, don’t forget to sign up for my newsletter.

How do you find books?

Like most writers, I’m also a reader.  Back in the olden-golden days of yore, I discovered new books by browsing the shelves at my local bookstore and seeing what covers jumped out at me.  As bookstores disappeared near my former home, I relied more and more on my public library and their eye-catching displays.  I also discovered Goodreads.

It’s been more of a challenge to find quality ebooks.  I know they are out there, but it can be overwhelming, especially if you don’t know the author and the cover is in basic black and white.  And that is why I’m so excited to share one of my latest “discoveries” as both an author and a reader.

Have you met The Fussy Librarian? My book, Winter Fairy is being featured Wednesday.  The Fussy Librarian offers personalized ebook recommendations. You choose from 30 genres and indicate preferences about content and then the computers work their magic and send you a daily email. Check it out at www.TheFussyLibrarian.com

Since most of the books have a low price point, your wallet won’t even be mad at you.  Happy Reading!

Happy book birthday

Has it really been a year since Winter Fairy first appeared on an ebook shelf near you?  Why yes, yes it has.  This past year has brought a lot of excitement and turmoil for me and I’m sure, for many of you two.  I’ve grown as an author and learned a lot more about readers and what you want.

To celebrate my book birthday, I’m kicking off a newsletter.  You can sign up here.  I promise not to overwhelm your mail box.  Look for occasional announcements and quarterly mailings with the first coming in late November.  As an incentive, I’ll share some of my favorite “Frankenrecipes.”  I won’t claim credit for inventing each delight, but I’m known for combining up to four recipes to make one I really like.

What else could you want in a newsletter?  Seriously.  Let me know.  I want to make this a fun moment for all of us.