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Holiday reads

COVER REVEAL: “Mistletoe Mishap” by Tracy Krimmer

August 5, 2019 Leave a Comment

“Mistletoe Mishap” by Tracy Krimmer

Blurb:

What was meant to be a fling turns into a love they both thought they’d never have or deserved….

Alexis Paige did not make a habit of drunkenly booking travel for herself on the internet. But after the worst breakup ever, she’s going wherever the wind, and her widowed dad, urges her to go. Now Alexis is on a plane to Colorado and Mistletoe Manor. The guy seated next to her is easy on the eyes, and oddly charming, but he’s also obnoxious. She’s relieved she never has to see Grayson Wells again. She’s had enough of indecipherable men.

Until she walks into Mistletoe Manor. Grayson’s aunt runs the rustic bed and breakfast, and it’s his annual holiday spot. He knows the town well and wants to show Alexis all it has to offer. She’s leery, especially of a guy like Grayson who’s a little too smooth, but she can’t find a reason to say no. One kiss under the famed mistletoe and it’s almost too easy to say yes. She tells herself that Grayson is a fling, but it hurts to say goodbye only a few short weeks later. Darn that mistletoe…

Back at home, Alexis finds everything shifting—career, her childhood home on the market, and oh yeah, her dad’s marital status. She’s thrilled her father has found love, but it’s too much at once, especially when she’s still missing her mom and feeling like her romantic life is doomed. When her dad announces the nuptials will take place at Mistletoe Manor, she fears the trip will just make her sad over what might have been. But when Grayson turns up and puts it all on the line, will Alexis give in to love or will she regret that mistletoe kiss?

**Preorder your copy of “Mistletoe Mishap” now!

Amazon Apple Books Nook Kobo Universal Link

(Release date: October 21st, 2019)


**GIVEAWAY**

Click HERE to enter to win a $10.00 Starbucks gift card!

Filed Under: Mistletoe Mishap Tagged With: Books, Chick-Lit, Coming Soon, Contemporary Romance, Cover Reveal, Holiday reads, Mistletoe Mishap, Preorder, Romance, Tracy Krimmer, Women's Fiction

BOOK FEATURE: “Inescapable Fate”

April 18, 2018 Leave a Comment

“Inescapable Fate” by Hanleigh Bradley

Blurb: When Georgia Kentley breaks up with her long-term boyfriend Darren over Christmas, she really can’t wait to return to work on the 27th of December.

The excitement dies when she meets her new boss, Walker Trent. DCI Trent is a misogynistic pain in the arse. Being a young police officer, Georgia has met her fair share of men who don’t understand that she can hold her own. Every single time she has proven them wrong.

Will she be able to prove to Walker Trent just how capable she is or will she get herself into a heap of trouble, danger and chaos? And when chaos ensues who will be there to save her?

(Note: This is the first part in a three-part series).

Excerpt

Worst bloody Christmas of my life! In all my life I never thought I’d be so grateful to get back to work on the 27th of December. We’d been sat there at the dinner table enjoying what should have been a fantastic dinner with the people we loved, and he had to go and ruin it all. His mum had asked a simple question, one my mother was itching to ask too. A question I had hoped they’d leave off for at least another six months but when I heard it, I thought we’d behave like grown-ups and answer it reasonably. What I didn’t expect was for him to have said what he did. I was just as shocked as everyone else at the table, at a complete loss for how to respond.
“So, when will you be getting married then?” His mum had asked in a teasing tone as she elbowed him gently.
I’d laughed slightly and gone to answer the question myself. We’ve not thought about it, was on the tip of my tongue. It was the truth after all. Even if we’d been together since high school, we’d never once considered getting married. There were so many things to discuss before we could agree to spending the rest of our lives together, like if we wanted kids and how many. We’d never once discussed the future, and part of me believed it was because we both knew that we were just passing time until something or someone better came along. It wasn’t that I didn’t love him, I did. I loved him more than almost anyone else, but it wasn’t the way I imagined being in love. Something was missing and over the years I’d convinced myself that that was okay, that eventually, we might find that missing component. Darren had apparently disagreed though because this Christmas he dumped me.
“We won’t be getting married,” Darren told me and our families in tandem.
His eyes were glued to the table in front of him as he continued, “actually I’ve decided we need to break up.” I wasn’t upset at the prospect of breaking up, not really. It had felt inevitable. I was downright pissed that he’d taken it upon himself to make the decision, not including me at all. What was worse was that he’d decided to tell our parents without my consent and on fucking Christmas Day of all days.
“What do you mean?” My father had jumped to his feet, prepared perhaps to defend his little girl.
“We’ve grown apart and there’s no point in continuing this farce.” His tone was cold and unfeeling. It left my heart like ice. He could have at least shown me some kindness, after all, we were friends before we started dating. We’d been dating for five years; ever since our last year at secondary school and before that, we’d been friends for over ten years.
“Why are you doing this now?” My father was furious and I couldn’t really blame him. I wasn’t exactly happy myself.
In a much quieter voice than my father’s, I asked, “why didn’t you discuss this with me before bringing it to our families?”
For the first time since his mother brought up marriage, he looked at me, “I didn’t think you’d let me go.”
“Let you go? I’m not holding you hostage,” the pitch of my voice increasing as I spoke.
“I… I didn’t mean it like that.”
“Then what did you mean?” I asked sharply.
My mother dropped her hand to my shoulder and suggested that everyone leave us to discuss the situation, but just as everyone got up from the table and began to make their way through to the living room, Darren abruptly told them it wasn’t necessary and that he was leaving.
“It’s not as simple as that,” I told him as he gathered his things together, “what about the flat?”
“You can keep it. I don’t want it.”
“What?” I was astounded by his complete lack of feeling. “Where will you stay?”
“I’ll find somewhere.”
“What about your belongings?”
“I’ll ask mum and dad to come and collect them in the New Year.”
“Why didn’t you talk to me about this?” I tried to touch his arm, but he flinched away from me as if burnt.
“There was never a right time.”
“There’s no such thing as the right time… As a friend, as your best friend, as someone you’ve known almost your whole life, I deserved to be told properly.”
“I can’t give you what you want.”
“I don’t know what you think I want.”
“Forever.”
“I never asked for that.”
“You didn’t need to.” With those words, he was out the door and I was left to deal with the aftermath. I had to apologise to our families for destroying Christmas, listen to his parents’ apologies, bear through all the absolute crap excuses that our siblings tried to make for him, and attempt to sooth my father’s anger. Worst Christmas of my life and it was all thanks to Darren Jacks. Thank fuck for being back at work is all I can say.
**Click HERE to add “Inescapable Fate” to your TBR list on Goodreads!
**Click HERE to grab your copy now of “Inescapable Fate”!

Filed Under: Inescapable Fate Tagged With: Books, Christmas, Contemporary Romance, Hanleigh Bradley, Holiday reads, Inescapable Fate, New Release, Romance, Women's Fiction

Holly Jolly Chick Lit Hop

December 5, 2017 Leave a Comment


If you thought hopping was only done by bunnies at Easter, you haven’t experienced Chick Lit Chat HQ’s annual Holly Jolly Chick Lit Hop! 62 bestselling and award-winning authors in the Chick Lit and Rom Com genres are participating in this year’s fun-filled event and each one is doing a fabulous giveaway. Books, swag, and assorted holiday treats are all up for grabs! In addition, you can enter to win one of three Grand Prizes ($100 Amazon gift cards) on the hop’s group page.

The celebration runs from Monday, Dec. 4th thru Friday, Dec. 15th, so strap on that mistletoe and fa-la-la-ollow along on Facebook. This hop is guaranteed to fill you with the Christmas spirit!

Join the party at the Holly Jolly Chick Lit Hop Facebook group where you’ll get to interact with readers, as well as the authors themselves. You’ll find each day’s featured authors, along with the links to their pages/giveaways, in the pinned post at the top of the group. Can’t wait to see you there!


Monday, Dec. 4th

Tracie Banister https://www.facebook.com/tracie.banister

Beth Carter https://www.facebook.com/authorbethcarter

Whitney Dineen

https://www.facebook.com/Whitney-Dineen-11687019412/

Karin Gillespie https://www.facebook.com/karingillespieauthor/

Kate O’Keeffe https://www.facebook.com/kateokeeffeauthor/

 

Tuesday, Dec. 5th

Annabelle Costa

https://www.facebook.com/Annabelle-Costa-894496980704700/

Susan Hatler https://www.facebook.com/authorsusanhatler/

Kate Kisset
https://www.facebook.com/KateKisset/

Kirsty McManus https://www.facebook.com/kirstymcmanusauthor

Robyn Neeley

https://www.facebook.com/RobynNeeleyAuthor/

 

Wednesday, Dec. 6th

Sylvia Ashby https://www.facebook.com/sylviaashbywriter/

Hannah Ellis https://www.facebook.com/novelisthannahellis

Cat Lavoie https://www.facebook.com/CatLavoieBooks

Becky Monson https://www.facebook.com/AuthorBeckyMonson/

Jennifer Peel https://www.facebook.com/jenniferpeelauthor/

 

Thursday, Dec. 7th

Michele Brouder https://www.facebook.com/MicheleBrouder/

Melinda Curtis
https://www.facebook.com/MelindaCurtisAuthor/

Liz Durano https://www.facebook.com/Lizduranobooks/

Diane Michaels https://www.facebook.com/dianemichaelsauthor/

Holly Tierney-Bedord https://www.facebook.com/HollyRecommends/

 

Friday, Dec. 8th

Hilary Grossman https://www.facebook.com/HilaryGrossmanAuthor/

Beth Labonte https://www.facebook.com/bethlabontebooks/

Nikki LeClair https://www.facebook.com/NikkiLeClairBooks/

Heidi Renee Mason https://www.facebook.com/HeidiReneeMason/

Susan Murphy https://www.facebook.com/susanmurphyauthor/

Natalina Reis https://www.facebook.com/authornatalinareis/

Saturday, Dec. 9th

Amy Avanzino https://www.facebook.com/AmyAvanzino/

Susannah Nix https://www.facebook.com/susannahnix

Cassandra O’Leary https://www.facebook.com/cassandraolearyauthor

Michelle Jo Quinn https://www.facebook.com/MichelleJoQuinnAuthor/

Nicole Waggoner https://www.facebook.com/NicoleWaggonerAuthorCircusofWomen/

Sunday, Dec. 10th

Mary Frame https://www.facebook.com/AuthorMaryFrame/

Sarah-Jane Fraser

https://www.facebook.com/sjfraserauthor/

Amy Gettinger

https://www.facebook.com/Amy-Gettinger-Author-1412625005719904/

Lizzie Lamb https://www.facebook.com/LizzieLambwriter/

Joslyn Westbrook https://www.facebook.com/JoslynWestbrookOfficial

 

Monday, Dec. 11th

Jayne Denker https://www.facebook.com/JayneDenkerAuthor/

Angie Ellington https://www.facebook.com/angienellingtonbooks

Ciara Knight https://www.facebook.com/Ciaraknightwrites/

C.L. Ogilvie https://www.facebook.com/CLOgilvie/

Meredith Schorr https://www.facebook.com/MeredithSchorrAuthor/

Stacey Wiedower https://www.facebook.com/StaceyWiedower.author/

Tuesday, Dec. 12th

Glynis Astie https://www.facebook.com/glynisastieauthor

Renee Conoulty

https://www.facebook.com/ReneeConoultyAuthor/

Jenny Gardiner https://www.facebook.com/jennygardinerbooks

Stacy Juba https://www.facebook.com/Stacy-Juba-100155471301/

Tracy Krimmer https://www.facebook.com/krimmerauthor/

 

Wednesday, Dec. 13th

Traci Andrighetti https://www.facebook.com/traciandrighettiauthor/

Kathryn Biel https://www.facebook.com/kathrynrbiel

Monique McDonell https://www.facebook.com/MoniqueMcDonellAuthor

Denise Stout https://www.facebook.com/DeniseStoutAuthor/

Melanie Summers https://www.facebook.com/MJSummersAuthorPage

 

Thursday, Dec. 14th

Anne John-Ligali https://www.facebook.com/annejohnligali/

Colette Kebell

https://www.facebook.com/ColetteKebellAuthor/

Jennie Marts https://www.facebook.com/JennieMartsBooks/

Clodagh Murphy https://www.facebook.com/clodaghmurphyauthor

Tess Thompson https://www.facebook.com/AuthorTessThompson/

 

Friday, Dec. 15th

Melissa Baldwin https://www.facebook.com/authormelissabaldwin/

Aimee Brown https://www.facebook.com/authoraimeebrown

Karen M. Cox https://www.facebook.com/karenmcox1932/

Lindsay Detwiler https://www.facebook.com/lindsayanndetwiler

Barbara Valentin https://www.facebook.com/Platespinner/

Filed Under: Isabella Tagged With: Aimee Brown, Amy Avanzino, Amy Gettinger, Angie Ellington, Annabelle Costa, Anne John-Ligali, Authors, Barbara Valentin, Becky Monson, Beth Carter, Beth Labonte, Books, C.L. Ogilvie, Cassandra O’Leary, Cat Lavoie, Chick-Lit, Ciara Knight, Clodagh Murphy, Colette Kebell, Contemporary Romance, Denise Stout, Diane Michaels, Glynis Astie, Hannah Ellis, Heidi Renee Mason, Hilary Grossman, Holiday reads, Holly Jolly Chick Lit Hop, Holly Tierney-Bedord, Jayne Denker, Jennie Marts, Jennifer Peel, Jenny Gardiner, Joslyn Westbrook, Karen M. Cox, Karin Gillespie, Kate Kisset, Kate O'Keefe, Kathryn Biel, Krist McManus, Lindsay Detwiler, Liz Durano, Lizzie Lamb, Mary Frame, Melanie Summers, Melinda Curtis, Melissa Baldwin, Meredith Schorr, Michele Brouder, Michelle Jo Quinn, Monique McDonell, Natalina Reis, Nicole Waggoner, Nikki LeClair, Renee Conoulty, Robyn Neeley, Sarah-Jane Fraser, Stacey Wiedower, Stacy Juba, Susan Hatler, Susan Murphy, Susannah Nix, Sylvia Ashby, Tess Thompson, Traci Andrighetti, Tracie Banister, Tracy Krimmer, Whitney Dineen, Women's Fiction

BOOK REVIEW: “The Boyfriend Swap”

November 26, 2017 4 Comments

“The Boyfriend Swap” by Meredith Schorr

Blurb: If you love Christmas movies, as in you check the Hallmark Channel guide starting in July, then hang on to your stockings, because here comes the merriest of indulgences in print. It’s “The Proposal” meets “The Holiday”.

First meet Robyn Lane. She’s always dated struggling creative types, including her current squeeze (Perry, an actor). For this year’s Chrismukkah celebration, her parents would love her to bring someone stable, reliable, steadily employed. You know, with health insurance and a 401(k).

Now let’s meet Sidney Bellows. Her parents already plan her professional life (she’s an attorney at her father’s law firm). If she brings her current boyfriend (Will, an attorney) to the family Christmas extravaganza, her parents will have their wedding planned by New Year’s Eve.

Leave it to a mutual friend (and copious amounts of wine) to find a playful solution: Swap those boyfriends, fool the parents, and enjoy the holidays. It’s perfect! Robyn can show off a successful attorney boyfriend, and Sidney’s high-society family won’t ring those wedding bells when they meet a flaky actor beau.

The fun isn’t in the theory, it’s in the practice.

Will turns out to be the boy-next-door Robyn crushed on hard throughout her teenage years. Sidney’s family fawns all over Perry like he’s an Oscar-winner rather than a D-list wannabe.

Fool the parents? Enjoy the holidays? Swapping boyfriends never sounded so good or went so bad. Take time to read this one. It’s like Christmas in July.

My Review: From the first sentence to the last, this book had me hooked, and I was disappointed when it ended.

Robyn and Sidney are quite the opposite women, yet I found it funny how they picked men who belonged to the other.

As far as Robyn, she seemed to be a dedicated music teacher who just wanted someone to love and who would love her. I liked her with Perry but didn’t ever sense any real chemistry. However, there were definite sparks between her and Will. Robyn and Will made a beautiful couple.

Sidney is a straightforward woman who knows exactly what she wants, allowing herself for little fun. While I did like her and Will, who seemed like a power-couple, when Perry is brought into her world, I loved the sexual tension and could see them together. They made for a few laugh-out-loud moments.

I do not like to give spoilers in my review, so you’ll just have to read the book and find out how it ends. Though, I must say…W.O.W.!

I’ve been a big fan of Meredith Schorr’s for years, and have often referred to her as my go-to author for when I’m looking for something to read. Whichever book she’s released, I guarantee you will love it! I’m not one who usually reads holiday books, but this one is by far an exception.

“The Boyfriend Swap” will stay with me for a long time, and I’m already wishing for a sequel! If you’re looking for a book that will make you laugh and cry, and will fill your heart with joy, then I recommend this romantic read.

I give “The Boyfriend Swap” 5 stars!

**Grab your copy of “The Boyfriend Swap” now!: Amazon

Filed Under: Book Review, The Boyfriend Swap Tagged With: Book review, Books, Chick Lit, Contemporary Romance, Holiday reads, Meredith Schorr, Romance, The Boyfriend Swap, Women's Fiction

NEW RELEASE: “The Sheriff’s Christmas Angel”

October 23, 2017 Leave a Comment

“The Sheriff’s Christmas Angels” by Debra Holt

Blurb: Angels. Emma Cramer doesn’t consider herself an angel by any stretch of the imagination. Temporarily stranded, broke and unable to pursue her dreams of working in the big city following her mother’s death, Emma’s life changes when she rescues a small child and a puppy who get trapped in a garage where Emma’s truck has finally breathed its last . The girl’s relieved and grateful grandmother believes Emma has been sent by angels because her family needs temporary help. She offers Emma a job, a good salary and a place to stay until after the holidays. It seems like a Christmas miracle for both of them.

Angels often appear when least expected, but when the most needed. Cynical sheriff and rancher Cole Drayton has heard that all his life, but he’s never been in the market for much else. He can take care of his daughter, his ranch and his family on his own without his meddling mother, but his long protected heart and desire for isolation is no match for a beautiful stranded stranger and a misfit puppy who make his daughter laugh and him feel alive again.

Can unsuspecting hearts intersect at the moment when love and trust is needed most? Anything is possible with the magic of the Christmas season and faith in the Christmas angels.

**Find “The Sheriff’s Christmas Angels” now: Goodreads   Universal Buy Link

**About Debra Holt: Born and raised in the Lone Star state of Texas, Debra grew up among horses, cowboys, wide open spaces, and real Texas Rangers. Pride in her state and ancestry knows no bounds and it is these heroes and heroines she loves to write about the most. She also draws upon a variety of life experiences including working with abused children, caring for baby animals at a major zoo, and planning high-end weddings (ah, romance!).

When she isn’t busy writing about tall Texans and feisty heroines, she can be found cheering on her Texas Tech Red Raiders, or heading off on another cruise adventure. She read her first romance…Janet Dailey’s Fiesta San Antonio, over thirty years ago and became hooked on the genre. Writing contemporary romances, is both her passion and dream come true, and she hopes her books will bring smiles…and sighs…to all who believe in happily-ever-after’s.

**Contact Debra: Email   Website   Facebook   Goodreads   Twitter   Amazon Author Page

Filed Under: The Sheriff's Christmas Angel Tagged With: Books, Christmas Books, Country romance, Debra Holt, Holiday reads, New Release, The Sheriff's Christmas Angels

BOOK FEATURE: “The Fling Thing–A Christmas Quickie”

December 21, 2015 2 Comments

The Fling Thing E-Book Cover

“The Fling Thing-A Christmas Quickie” by Maggie Le Page

Blurb: When it comes to love, Becky Jordan’s had some spectacular disasters, but all those Mr Wrongs haven’t put her off. One day she’ll find Mr Right. She just needs to be more . . . selective.

For example, she’d never get involved with Mickey Madden. He’s cute, and funny, and knows how to warm a girl’s . . . ahem. But he’s a workmate, and all their flirty sex-talk is just talk.

So when that talk whoopsies into something rather more active, Becky’s left confused. Is this as real as it feels, or is Mickey just another disaster in disguise?

Warning: contains one sexy Santa suit, one cheeky Rudolph, and plenty of heat in the middle.

(This novelette is intended for readers aged 18+.)

**Buy “The Fling Thing-A Christmas Quickie” now!: Amazon-US   Amazon-UK   Amazon-CA   Amazon-AU   B&N   iTunes   Kobo   Smashwords


**GIVEAWAY OFFER**

The first ten people to leave a review of The Fling Thing on Amazon or iTunes will be rewarded with a free ecopy of one of my full-length novels (one of which follows on from The Fling Thing). Just message me on Facebook or email me through my website (see contact details below) and voilà!


 

**About author, Maggie Le Page: Maggie lives in Christchurch, New Zealand. Her life leans toward chaotic, with writing time often losing out to kidstuff, home stuff and part-time work. Being a ditz comes naturally to Maggie, so she has no trouble writing her characters into embarrassing situations. No surprise, then, that she writes chick lit—albeit with serious undertones.

**Contact Maggie Le Page: Website   Amazon   Facebook   Goodreads   Twitter


The Fling Thing new release social media image

Filed Under: The Fling Thing – A Christmas Quickie Tagged With: Blurb, Books, Christmas, Holiday reads, Maggie Le Page, New Release, Sex, The Fling Thing-A Christmas Quickie

EXCERPT and INTERVIEW with Vicki LeSage, author of “Christmas Confessions & Cocktails: A Humorous Holiday Memoir with Sassy Drink Recipes”

December 8, 2015 4 Comments

vicki lesage

About author, Vicki LeSage: Bestselling author Vicki Lesage proves daily that raising two French kids isn’t as easy as the hype lets on. In her three minutes of spare time per week, she writes, sips bubbly, and prepares for the impending zombie apocalypse. She lives in Paris with her French husband, rambunctious son, and charming daughter, all of whom mercifully don’t laugh when she says “au revoir.” She penned the Paris Confessions series in between diaper changes and wine refills. She writes about the ups and downs of life in the City of Light at VickiLesage.com.

**Contact Vicki: Website   Facebook   Twitter


INTERVIEW

Describe yourself in five words: Outgoing, friendly, loyal, sassy, and chatty, if I do say so myself.

Tell us about your writing/editing/publishing process: Nerd alert! It involves lots of spreadsheets. I like to get a rough outline going in a spreadsheet and then I track my word count as I go. Not all chapters have to (or even should be) the same length, but it’s a good way to keep an eye on things as they go so I don’t end up with a book that’s ridiculously short or embarrassingly long. Also, having a spreadsheet helps me focus: I usually try to write one chapter and edit one chapter per day, and the magic spreadsheet lets me know where I’m at on that. For the actual writing part, I do try to let myself go a little more. I’ll sit down with an idea in mind and just roll with it.

When did you know you wanted to be a writer? I still don’t know if I want to be a writer! This gig is hard. But it’s fun, and every time someone says they enjoyed one of my books, I’m reminded of why I do it.

Hard/paperbacks or eBooks? While I love the feel of a “real” book, I don’t have room for books in my tiny Parisian apartment! So I love ebooks. I can have as many as I like!

At what time of day do you work best? I work best in the morning right after my first sip of coffee. Assuming the kids aren’t around to knock over my coffee mug or whine about something or fight with each other.

Salty or sweet? Salty. One time for “dessert” I made myself some mashed potatoes with hot dogs. It’s weird, I know. And my husband will NEVER let me live it down. “What kind of cake would you like for your birthday? Mashed potatoes and hot dogs?” Don’t tempt me!

Is the social media a help or a hinder? I love it but talk about a time suck! I’ll go on social media to post about something and I’ll get totally distracted by all the funny/interesting/cute stuff my friends post and then I can’t remember what I came on there for. Kind of like when you open the fridge and forget what you were looking for. But worse because at least with the fridge I can probably find some wine 🙂

If you could meet any author, who would it be? Tina Fey. That chick is pure awesome. I know she’s not strictly an author but hey, she wrote a book so it totally counts.

Where do you see yourself in five years? While I love living in Paris, my family of four is going to outgrow our one-bedroom apartment by then, so we will probably have to leave Paris. Maybe go to the US? (And yes, you read that right: My husband and I share a room with our 3-year-old and our baby. Glamorous, no?)

Every author must have (a): Support system. Mine is my husband, my mom, and my business partner at my indie publishing house, Velvet Morning Press. And I have a wider network of author friends that help in all sorts of ways. Even if you’re an author who’s an introvert, you still need a support system to get through everything this career will throw at you!

What do you want readers to take away from your books? I hope I can make readers laugh, either at me or with me. I’m not picky. And I hope I can give them a glimpse of what it’s really like to live in Paris. We don’t always ride bicycles while holding baguettes and wearing berets. Just most of the time.

What are you working on right now? I am working on my first chick lit novel–quite a huge departure from my series of memoirs. I’m also working on getting more than 5 hours of consecutive sleep in a night, so it might be a while before this book is done!


 

christmas confessions and cocktails

Blurb: American-turned-Parisian Vicki tells it like it is, from her crazy Christmases growing up in the Midwest to her even crazier holidays in her new home in France. Bizarre gifts, stomach-turning food, and holiday travel disasters are just some of the tales you’ll chuckle at in this installment of the Paris Confessions series.

This Christmas-themed memoir features 25 funny and heartwarming essays, all with a tenuous tie to Christmas, and pairs each with a delicious drink recipe. So grab your martini shaker and get ready for tasty cocktails and hearty laughs this holiday season!

EXCERPT

Years later, I married the love of my life, Mika. It would be hard to find a bad quality about this guy. He’s patient. He’s kind. He’s funny and smart. He’s a wonderful husband and an amazing father.

But he absolutely sucks at killing bugs.

His technique: Grab a paper towel and stomp loudly toward the bug, usually scaring it away before arriving on the scene. If the stupid thing sticks around, it’s only because he’s thinking, “Get a load of this guy and his soft, fluffy paper towel. What’s he planning to do with that? Tuck me in to bed and sing me lullabies? Sounds lovely!”

Mika’s “plan” is to gently cover the area the spider is occupying, and to—I don’t know—just hope the spider crawls into the paper towel’s pillowy folds, leading itself to death? Of course the spider darts away each time and now Mika’s just wasted a paper towel.

“You have to smash it. With force,” I said, with all the knowledge of a backseat driver. “The paper towel is just to protect your fingers from the carnage. You actually need to kill it with your hand.”

He gave me a look like, “Holy hell, who did I marry?”

I gave him a look back like, “You better kill the next one or you won’t stay married for long.”

One week later, I was minding my own business (so, ending world hunger or spending too much time on Facebook) and I heard a loud SMACK in the kitchen.

“Check this out,” Mika said, entering the living room with a smile on his face and a dark smear on a paper towel.

Ah, my technique worked.

*****

This doesn’t solve my mom’s problem, though. My newly-trained bug-killing husband was thousands of miles from St. Louis. My step-dad, Doug, will take care of any insect problem, but what does my mom do if he’s not there? She would never kill an intruder herself, but she can’t stay frozen in one spot all weekend.

Enter the best Christmas present ever, courtesy of SkyMall: the bug vacuum.

I’d traveled home for Thanksgiving one year, opting for the cheaper international fares for that time period compared to Christmas. After reading the in-flight magazine cover to cover (or at least taking the Mensa quiz to feel smart), I perused the SkyMall catalogue.

Have you ever looked in that thing? I wanted to buy everything on every page! And I nearly did.

Toy gun that shoots marshmallows? Perfect for my trigger-happy, sweets-loving brother. (Bonus: New way to play fetch with Chopper.)

A glass display case for children’s artwork where you slide in their new artwork while cleverly hiding their previous masterpieces so that you don’t have a house full of scribbles? Perfect for my colleague who has two adorable, prolific, artistic children.

Collapsible silicone wine glasses that you can—get this—fold up and tuck in to your back pocket so you’re ready for any occasion? I might just have to get those for myself.

A bug vacuum with extendable arm and a circular shield to trap the bug before being sucked away to get zapped by a jolt of electricity go live on a farm in the country? Perfect for my easily-spooked arachnaphobic mother. She talks smack about bugs, but can’t handle actually smacking any.

Bonus gift: A battery-operated bug-zapping tennis racket for the flying critters. Plus it counts as exercise because it has “tennis” in the name.

I filled out the order form and dropped it in the mail when I landed. Christmas shopping had never been so easy.

Bug vacuum: $64.95

Battery-operated bug-zapping tennis racket: $16.95

Living in a bug-free house: Priceless

**Find the book: Amazon   GoodReads


**GIVEAWAY**

**Click HERE to enter to win a copy of “Confessions of a Paris Party Girl”


Christmas Confessions & Cocktails

**Click HERE to see other stops on Vicki’s Chick Lit Plus Blog Tour!


Filed Under: Christmas Confessions & Cocktails: A Humorous Holiday Memoir with Sassy Drink Recipes Tagged With: Author Interview, Books, Boox Excerpt, Chick-Lit, Christmas Confessions & Cocktails: A Humorous Holiday Memoir with Sassy Drink Recipes, CLP blog tours, Giveaway, Holiday reads, Vicki LeSage

Happy Thanksgiving!

November 25, 2015 Leave a Comment

TRD-HappyThanksgiving0.99

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving Day here in the U.S., and I’m blessed to be spending time with my family. Though there will be only five of us, it’s safe to say that there will be a smorgasbord of delicious array of food that could feed an army, (I have a feeling I’ll need to be sipping on Sambuca liquor later, to relax my fuller-than-full stomach after it’s all over, and, of course, while watching the Green Bay Packer game). Speaking of football, Dallas take on the Panthers, and while I’m a Cowboy fan, the highlight will be watching Luke Bryan during half-time.


Something for you…

Fall-TRD-0.99

As a special treat, and a way of showing how thankful for my family, friends, and faithful readers, I’ve marked down THE RIGHT DESIGN for $0.99 on Amazon, (it’ll go back up to $2.99 on December 1st, so if you’ll be taking advantage of Cyber Monday, this deal is for you)!


MERRY-BRIGHT-SALE

A few weeks ago, I shared that MERRY & BRIGHT is on sale for $0.99, so don’t forget to get your Amazon copy, which will definitely put you in the holiday mood!


I hope you all have a very blessed holiday!

Filed Under: Isabella, Meet Me Under the Mistletoe, The Right Design Tagged With: Books, Chick-Lit, Holiday reads, Isabella Louise Anderson, Merry & Bright, Romance, Thanksgiving Sale, The Right Design, Women's Fiction

BOOK FEATURE: “A Ring for Christmas” by Wendy Ely

November 16, 2015 Leave a Comment

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“A Ring for Christmas” by Wendy Ely

Blurb: Nautica Pepper learned from an early age that nobody can stop her from following her dreams. She’s one of the few women boxers at One Punch Gym and demands that the women fighters get the same amount of attention as the men. With work on her mind, she doesn’t want to notice the hot guy who wants to join the One Punch family.

He wants nothing but the best! Javier Cruz already landed himself in a match with Trent McGibbon once before and won! Trent’s trainer, Felix Manzi, is the best in the biz, and Javier isn’t too proud to beg for a chance at joining the rest of the crew at the elite gym. If he trains with the best, he’ll be the best, right? He has one chance to prove himself to Felix and to Nautica. Felix gives him a fight on Christmas Eve that Javier can’t miss. But a family emergency sends him racing across the border.

Will Javier make it back in time to fight? Will Nautica decide that loving Javier is worth the risk?

EXCERPT

“Good job, Gibbs,” Nautica yelled over the crowd before turning around to head back to her hotel room, but a man leaning against the doorframe caught her attention and stopped her in her tracks. She took a few steps closer. Wasn’t that the guy who’d been Trent’s opponent when he’d broken his hand? Another few steps. Same dark hair. Same dimpled cheeks. So sexy, broad shoulders. When she’d watched the fight between Gibbs and this guy, he’d been shirtless. Now he wore a suit jacket with a button-down underneath. No tie, but that was fine. This fighter oozed sex appeal that made her heart race and her panties damp. Too close to him now. She snapped her attention back to his face, and grumbled, “Excuse me.”

He stepped to the side to allow her to pass through the door, but said, “Aren’t you from One Punch Boxing?”

“Yeah,” she mumbled. Just because they were gorgeous didn’t mean they were smart, too. Her jacket read the gym’s name.

“Then I’ll be seeing you soon.”

“Huh?” Her eyes narrowed, trying to scan his face for an explanation of his statement. Just two dimples doing their best to twist her insides in a knot. Oh hell, they were doing their job, too.

“See you soon,” he repeated.

She shook her head as she walked away. Did he mean that he’d be joining the One Punch boxing crew? Hell no. He’d won against Trent. The boxers at One Punch were like a family, not quick to invite others into the mix. Besides, Felix didn’t like it when his players lost a fight and certainly when they got injured. Especially not to that guy.

**Buy “A Ring for Christmas” now!: Amazon   Barnes & Noble   iTunes

 


 

**About author, Wendy Ely: Wendy Ely is a USA Today bestselling author, who writes some romantic suspense, really hot stories, and the wonderful happily-ever-after. She lives in Phoenix, Arizona with her two teenagers, and two crazy cats. When she isn’t busy writing new stories, she enjoys time outdoors by taking trips to the hot desert or swimming at the lake.

**Contact Wendy: Facebook   Twitter   Website

Filed Under: A Ring for Christmas Tagged With: A Ring for Christmas, Books, Chick-Lit, Holiday reads, Romance, Wendy Ely, Women's Fiction

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