Category: Winter’s Favorites

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Winter’s Favorite Giveaway Day~~21

Welcome to Day 21 of Winter’s Favorite.
Today I am pleased to welcome the very naughty Laura Stamps aka the Sex Witch…

Many thanks to Kelly for inviting me to participate in this event!  When she mentioned a flash fiction story I remembered a piece I had written several years ago for a literary magazine.  It was one I could update and tweak to jive with Kelly’s theme.  Woot!  So I did it.
To give you a little history, I spent over a decade as a literary fiction writer before I switched to genre fiction.  My literary short stories and poems have appeared in over 1000 literary journals, magazines, and university anthologies worldwide.
One of my fav things to write back then was flash fiction.  In those days flash fiction was around 500 words.  It was great fun to tell a hot story in so few words, and I always loved the challenge.
Enjoy!!
*************
The Beach House
Laura Stamps (c)
“Dear Goddess, I love sex.”  I’m lying on my back, nude on the deck.  Bending my knees, I allow a warm ocean breeze to fluff the hair of my drenched pussy.
This afternoon my Fey mate and I arrived in the islands for our winter holiday vacation.  When we discovered the wrap-around deck and its sunken hot tub, we laughed.  We’ve been playing in it ever since.
Dante slips into the hot tub and runs his hand along my foot and up my silky leg. 
“Mmm,” I purr, my eyes darkening with lust.  “I was born for sex.”
He smiles.  “You’re definitely a hot piece of ass, love.”
I roll over and crawl toward the hot tub, my small breasts swaying as I move.  When I reach the edge I sit and dangle my feet in the bubbling water.  
Moving between my knees, Dante grips my hips.  His shaft is erect again, the head almost purple with desire.  
My legs encircle his waist, and I press my heel against his back, guiding his thick cock home.  “Ah, nirvana…”  My mind dissolves as he stretches and fills me. 
He bends and takes my nipple into his mouth, teasing it with his tongue.  Then he reaches down and pinches my swollen clit. 
Hard.
“Shit!” I scream.  My knees squeeze his hips like a vise, while delicious waves of pleasure roll through me. 
When I stop panting, I reach back and flatten my hands on the polished floor of the deck, arching my spine to meet each of his languorous strokes.  By now his shaft is soaked with my cream as it slides in and out of my hungry cunt. 
I thrust my breasts toward him and moan with need.  I’m a cat in heat.  Dante licks one nipple, and then the other, teasing me again. 
There’s a plate of cashew-butter crackers next to us.  He selects one and feeds me with his fingers. 
“You should eat.”  The corner of his mouth lifts in a wicked grin.  “It’s gonna be a long night, baby.”
“Oh, really?”  Every time he slips a cracker into my mouth, I devour it.  My tongue swirls around his finger, and I suck until my cheeks hollow, taunting him. 
“You’re a wicked Witch,” he scolds.
I wink at him.  “Tell me something I don’t know.”
When I’m full, Dante pushes the plate away and rests his hands on my slim waist.  Slowly, he lowers his head and pulls my breast into his mouth.  I purr with delight and raise my knees to press against his firm chest, taking his shaft deeper into my greedy pussy. 
I exhale and close my eyes.  My head drops back.  I want to be impaled on his cock forever. 
When I open my eyes, I gaze at him and grin.  “Fuck me, ” I whisper.  “Fuck me like you mean it.”
Dante laughs.  “Happy holidays, love.”  He cups my ass in his strong hands and pumps into me fast and hard. 
I scream with pleasure.  Again.
Oh, how I love this man!
*************
Laura Stamps is a bestselling Pagan paranormal erotica novelist.  She writes three Pagan fiction series (The Witchery Series, The Rune Witch Series, The Manigault Vampires).  She also writes a nonfiction series about her lusty, oversexed life (The Memoir Series). She is the author of 53 books as well as the recipient of many awards, including a “Pulitzer Prize” nomination and seven“Pushcart Award” nominations. A Wiccan Faery Witch and sorceress, Laura enjoys writing novels about contemporary Pagans living in the Deep South. 
Laura Stamps 

Pagan Paranormal Erotica Novelist
(HOT vampires, shapeshifters, witches)

Kindle ebooks (all $0.99): http://ht.ly/4GPqd 

To enter for a chance to win E-book of A Vampire Kiss by Laura Stamps. Please leave Laura a comment, tell her your favorite winter memory, then head over to the MAIN Winter’s Favorite page (<< — Click link) to enter the giveaway.

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Winter’s Favorite Giveaway Day~~20

Welcome to day 20 of Winter’s Giveaways.
Today I am extremely please to share the Super Sweet Minnette Meador and the very Funny and Naughty Shayla Black.   
Minnette the floor is yours:


THE MIRACLE
by Minnette Meador
I stared out at the winter scene through my windshield, listening to my three-year-old whimpering next to me. It was Christmas Eve. The twins bundled in the back seat added their own crescendo of noise. I was crying too.

It was cold. Twenty degrees may not seem like a lot when your snug in a seventy decree house, but sitting on the side of the road in a dead car with three screaming kids was murder. I was contemplating it.

Paul had stumbled to my bed to snuggle around 2am. He was burning up. 104 degrees and I gathered the entourage and dumped everyone in the car. It was the eighties and single moms were all the rage. Man, was I broke. Childcare was eating up more than half of my income and a severe winter was not helping matters. My car had no tags, no insurance, and probably wasn’t street legal (thanks to DEQ regulations), but this was an emergency. I didn’t call 911. I think in the panic I didn’t even think of it. All I could see through the parental tunnel vision was hopping into the car and driving to the hospital.

The car died about half way there.

I pulled Paul into my lap and rocked him to keep him warm. The twins were bundled in enough blankets to warm the inside of an igloo. They finally settled down when Paul stopped crying and I searched what I could see of the deserted road for a solution to our dilemma.

There were no such things as cell phones back in those days. Rich people had mobile phones in their cars, but the rest of us didn’t. I scanned the terrain and there were only houses, darkened buildings, and silver ice on the lawns and streets. I took stock.

There is nothing so clear in your mind than finally reaching the realization, too late, that you should have made a different decision. Hindsight is always glaringly clear. After letting that thought fry my brain for a bit, I reviewed by alternatives: 1) I could knock on the door of the nearest house (about a block away) and ask for help, but I had three children in the car, twins aged 1 ½ and a three-year-old. None of them had coats or boots on and the triple stroller sat on the porch of my duplex because mom was in such a rush to get to the hospital she literally scooped and ran. 2) Leave the kids in the car and run to the house to get help, hoping nothing would happen to my kids. Just not an option. 3) Try to carry all three. Not in a million years.

I ran my hand over Paul’s forehead and pulled in a shaking breath. He was still so hot and now he was getting lethargic.

Religion is a very private thing for me. Because of that I do not discuss my religious beliefs with anyone… and I mean anyone. However, on that night, in that hour, I adopted them all. I closed my eyes and prayed to any god who would listen to me.

Before I was even done a cascade of beautiful blue and red lights filled the interior of the car. The wailing voice of an angel startled the twins awake and they bawled. Paul stirred in my arms and smiled up at me. I thought they had come for all of us.

Instead, there was a tapping on the window and a bright light filled my eyes. I rolled down the window in bliss, not really caring who it might be. I was just so happy to see someone!

“Hello, Miss.” The voice was deeply masculine. “Are you all right?”

He lowered the flashlight and I saw a gleaming badge on his pocket. His rugged kind face stared down at us and I couldn’t stop the happy tears from flowing.

I spilled the story out in one long wintry breath and he helped me get the kids into his patrol car. I don’t remember if it was a hundred or two hundred times I thanked him, that night and later in a letter to the department.

On the short ride to the hospital Paul sat on my lap his face lit up like Christmas. He chattered non-stop until we reached the emergency room. And, of course, by the time we got in to see the doctor, he was perfectly fine.

In this time of financial turmoil it is difficult sometimes to remember there are so many things to be thankful for. I had a boss once who used to be a nurse. Whenever there was a major disaster or things went terribly wrong, she would turn to me and ask, “Did anyone die?” It always calmed me down.

Happy Holidays to everyone. May you find your own strength in adversity and your own bliss in hopeful times.

DON’T FORGET TO LEAVE A COMMENT FOR A CHANCE TO RECEIVE AN E-COPY OF THE BELLE STALKER, AN URBAN FANTASY THRILLER IN ANY E-FORMAT.
Minnette Meador is a multi-published author who lives in Portland, Oregon with one slightly used husband, a black cat formerly known as Spook, and a 4 lb. poodle. The poodle, Pierre, pretty much runs the show. Facebook – Twitter – Web Site – Blog – Contact Minnette – Amazon Author Page
Watch for her newest thriller, THE BELLE STALKER, available now in Kindle, Nook, and all other eBook formats:
THE BELL STALKER
an urban fantasy thriller
by Minnette Meador
RELEASE DATE: October 26, 2011

For a year, Belle Stark has struggled to conquer fears plaguing her since being attacked by a maniac who continues to roam free and the murder of her father. And she nearly succeeds, until she discovers her lover’s mutilated body spread over the furniture, making Belle a prime suspect. Certain her attacker is to blame, she seeks help from her ex-husband, homicide detective Mike Cranston, the one person she swore she would never let back into her life, or heart. In their hunt for answers, the two uncover more than a lunatic: a supernatural underworld hidden beneath the tall skyscrapers of the city and a secret that could kill them both. Faced with a terrible choice, Belle surrenders herself to the hands of a monster and Mike must solve an ancient mystery before it’s too late to save her—


Please welcome Shayla Black:
Happy Holidays everyone.  I hope your celebrations, no matter what they might be are happy and filled with lots of fun and love that make great memories!  I wanted to share a recipe with you, it’s an overnight coffee cake. One of my holiday favorites!

18 rising rolls, frozen

1/4 cup butter
1 3-oz pkg of slow-cook pudding in butterscotch
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 cut chopped pecans (optional)
Arrange rolls in a greased bundt pan. Sprinkle dry pudding over rolls. In a sauce pan, melt butter with brown sugar. Pour over yeast rolls. Sprinkle with cinnamon and pecans. Cover pan with a dish towel and place in a cold over overnight. The next morning, cook at 325 for 25-30 minutes.

You can find Shayla here
Website: http://www.shaylablack.com/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ShaylaBlackAuthor
Twitter: http://twitter.com/Shayla_Black

To enter for a chance to win E-book of The Belle Stalker from Minnette or one of Shayla Blacks backlist books. Please leave Minnette & Shayla a comment, tell them your favorite holiday food, then head over to the MAIN Winter’s Favorite page (<< — Click link) to enter the giveaway.
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Winter’s Favorite Giveaway Day~~19

Welcome to day 19 of Winter’s Giveaways.

I have the WONDERFUL Kate Douglas on the blog today. I always love having Kate around she just talks and talks… She is so great. 
Okay, Kate the blog is all yours today.

I have two favorite things about the holiday season, and they definitely go together. The best part is that we all get together—our daughter and her family live about an hour away, but our son and his wife and kids are in Hawaii, so we don’t get to see them as often—and this year, we’ll be meeting our new granddaughter, Alice Cody Moore, born on Halloween, so we’re especially looking forward to their visit.
And my next favorite thing about the holidays? We almost always have snow by Christmas, and if we’re lucky, we have a lot of snow the day all the kids come to visit. Because our son’s in-laws and our daughter and her family all live in a town on the other side of the mountain from us, the kids always spend most of their visits down there and we go to see them, but at some point we always try to have everyone at our house on the mountain for a sleepover and snow day.
We have six grandchildren and a relatively small house, so it’s always a bit crowded and crazy, but always a good time. This year Luca is 10, Gracie is 7, Ella almost 6, Cole 5, Owen 3 and newborn Alice, so everyone but the baby will love the chance to go sledding on our hill.
No matter what we do in our lives or where we go, family is always the most important thing. I love my career, I love what I do, the people I meet and the places I get to go, but our family, our children and their spouses, and their children—that’s what makes everything else work. My husband and I have been married for forty years, and yet when we talk about what’s meant the most to us throughout our marriage, it all comes down to our children and their families and the love we share.
To all of you, I wish happiness and good health, love and laughter and all the best in the coming year. And thank you, Kelly, for giving me this chance to send my holiday greetings.
Kate Douglas
www.katedouglas.com
www.katedouglas.com/eroticromance
www.facebook.com/katedouglas.authorpage
twitter @wolftales
kate@katedouglas.com

To enter for a chance to win one of Kate’s books (winners choice of one of these  Wolf Tales VII, VIII, 9, 10, 11 or 12, StarFire, or NightShift).  Leave Kate a comment and tell her which of her books you would love to win, then head over to the MAIN Winter’s Favorite page (<< — Click link) to enter the giveaway.
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Winter’s Favorite Giveaway Day~~18

Welcome to day 18 of Winter’s Giveaways.

Today we have the super sweet Candy little on the blog.
Candy has been generous enough to share her new Christmas story with us.
You can find Candy’s story along with 6 other in Hearts ‘n’ Holly Anthology

Hearts’n’Holly 
Product Details
Format: Kindle Edition
File Size: 375 KB
Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
Publisher: http://www.xoxopublishing.com 
Sold by: Amazon Digital Services
Language: English
ASIN: B0069C7T9I
Order here: Amazon 

An anthology full of sensual and erotic love stories for the holiday season.
Featuring
Christmas is all about love, and do you know of a better Christmas gift than a true heart-to-heart connection? XoXo Publishing proudly presents Hearts and Holly, a Christmas compendium of romantic stories. Represented here are
new love and enduring love, first love and even married love, in a Christmas cornucopia of stories ranging from sweet to searing (and categorized accordingly for your reading delectation). All the stories revolve around the Christmas season, and all the stories will warm your heart. (Several of
the stories will warm you in other places, as well. LOL.) By the time you are finished reading Hearts and Holly, you will all be a true believer in Santa Claus…and you all know that Valentine’s Day is not the only holiday that celebrates love. (Hint: If you a person who cries happy tears, you may want to have a tissue handy.) Happy Holidays…and happy reading. 
Sweet
Not all Gifts come Gift Wrapped Brianna Martini
Flour Power Catherine Grow
Special Delivery Cynthia MacGregor
One Christmas Wish Candy Little
Sexy
Naughty and Nice Tiana Johnson
LoveforChristmas Daisy Dunn
A Special Gift Shashauna P. Thomas
Searing
A Gift from St Nicholas Samantha Gentry


ONE CHRISTMAS WISH
by Candy Little
“If you had one wish for Christmas, what would it be?” Jennie asked.
“I’d wish for someone to love me.” I grabbed an Oreo off the plate on her kitchen table.
“Patty, why do you stay in the marriage if you’re miserable?” She dunked her cookie in her coffee, which made me cringe.
“I have kids to think about.” I gave my standard reply, although I recognized that the truth was that I was scared to be on my own.
“Are things really that bad?” She raised a quizzical red brow.
Jennie has been my best friend since high school and was maid of honor at my wedding, and even though I’d confided in her many times about the problems in my marriage over the last few months, she tended to think I was overreacting. She insisted that Doug loved me, but I just couldn’t see it.
“Things are getting worse every day,” I told her. “He doesn’t appreciate anything. He complains about everything. The house isn’t clean enough, supper isn’t cooked right, I’m spending too much money.” I wiped a tear away. “He never says that he loves me. He doesn’t even bother to hug or kiss me anymore.”
“I’m not saying he doesn’t have faults.” Jennie shrugged. “What man doesn’t?”
“Do you know what I got for Christmas last year? Nothing. Do you know what I got for my birthday? Nothing. Not even a card. Know what I’ll get for Christmas this year? Nothing!”
“But he’s faithful. He’s not cheating on you. That’s more than I can find.” She bit into her cookie a little harder than needed.
“I’m not so sure.” I took a few breaths, calming my aching heart. “His hours at work don’t add up. He goes out on the weekends and yells at me if I ask where’s he’s been.” I started crying. “I can’t take it anymore!”
“Oh, sweetie.” Jennie enveloped me with a hug. “Have you talked to Doug about your suspicions?”
“No.” I sobbed. “He’d just lie about it.”
“You’re probably right about that…but you need to find out the truth.”
“Christmas is in two days. I don’t want to say anything until after the holidays. The kids are so excited.”
“I still don’t believe he’s cheating, but if he is, you’re going to pack up your stuff and move in with me. I’m not going to let my best friend be taken advantage of.” She handed me my coat. “You go home right now and talk to Doug. I’ll expect a call later to fill me in.”
I went home and finished wrapping gifts before the kids got home from school. Then I started supper. I was loading the dishwasher when Doug got home. “Where have you been?”I asked.
“Working!”
“You’re two hours late.”
“Do I have to punch a time clock in my own house?”
“Why do you smell like perfume?”
36
“Why are you interrogating me?” He slammed the refrigerator door shut. “I’m the one working to pay the bills. If it weren’t for my job, we wouldn’t have gifts for Christmas.”
“What gifts?” I cried. “You won’t let me buy anything. The kids have exactly two presents each. That’s it!”
“Are you saying you don’t like the job I’m doing as a husband and father?”
I tried hard to control the emotions roiling inside me, but a few tears slipped out anyway. I somehow found the strength to ask the pressing question that had been weighing on my heart: “Are you bored in this marriage?”
“What?” Doug’s face lost all the anger.
“I mean, ten years is a long time to be with the same person. Is that why you’re looking for someone else?”
Tears welled up, but before I could cry, the smoke detector went off.
“The garlic bread!” I opened the oven door and smoke rolled out, filling the kitchen.
“Great, another burnt dinner.” Doug stalked out of the kitchen, leaving my question unanswered.
As upset as I was, I tried not to show any emotions over the next two days. I wanted the kids to have the best Christmas ever, since it would be their last in this house.
Doug and I didn’t talk at all. He avoided me, and I kept myself busy with baking. There might not be a lot of presents, but the kids would remember all the sweet treats and cookies. Besides, memories are more important than material possessions…or, at least, that’s what my mom always said when we didn’t have enough money to buy things. But I’d always wanted to give my kids more. I didn’t want them feeling left out or unloved because they didn’t have the same things other kids had.
Doug works hard, and we’d always had the necessities, but sometimes money got stretched pretty thin. I hadn’t minded so much before, when at least I felt like he loved me. I would find myself repeating my mom’s sentiment, and the kids never seem to mind. They’re happy with anything they get, no matter how small. When our marriage was happy, I’d made do with less and loved it. But now…well, now things were falling apart, and I found myself worrying about money. My head was full of questions like: What am I going to do? Where can we live? How can I support my kids?
I put the meager presents under the tree and went to bed, feeling lonely and sorry for myself. Doug stayed up, playing our one and only video game. I couldn’t remember a Christmas worse than this one. I cried into my pillow, thinking about the Christmas wish Jennie had asked me. I’d give anything to have someone love me. Once, I’d thought Doug loved me. I told myself, Maybe eventually I’ll find someone else who truly loves me.
That was my last thought as I drifted off to sleep. The next thought came at five in the morning as the kids bounced on the bed, yelling “Mommy, Daddy, Santa came! Santa came! Can we open all our presents?”
Kids get excited over the smallest things, I thought. Only a couple of presents, and they’re just as happy as if it were a hundred.
My mouth fell open, however, when I walked into the living room. Dozens of presents were crammed around the tree. “Where did all these come from?” I asked.
Doug slipped his arms around my waist and squeezed. “Santa came.” He kissed 37
the back of my neck. His breath skimmed along my skin, making it tingle.
I watched in amazement as the kids tore through the gifts, laughing and screaming with delight. After the gifts were all opened, and the paper settled into piles, Doug pulled a box from his shirt pocket.
“I think Santa left this one for you.”
I opened the box and cried, this time with tears of joy, for inside lay a beautiful double heart. One heart had diamonds and the other rubies.
“The two hearts are joined together, just like us.” Doug clasped the necklace around my neck. “Diamonds for strength and rubies for love.”
“How did you manage all this?”
“I took a second job. I’ve been saving for months.” He turned me around, gently kissing my lips. My head spun out of control as I tried to understand what was happening.
“But.…”
“I had to act mad when you asked where I’d been. If you kept asking questions, you might have figured out what was going on, and I wanted to surprise you.”
“But.…”
“I’m not having an affair. I’ll never be bored with you or our life.”
“But.…”
“I smelled like perfume because I was testing them, trying to find one for you.”
“But I didn’t get you anything,” I blurted.
“You’re my present. You’re all I’ll ever need.” His lips touched mine in a gentle kiss that still made my heart flutter. In that moment, I realized Santa had brought me my Christmas wish.
~ ~ ~
Candy Ann Little lives in Michigan with her husband and two teenage kids. She is a substitute for paraprofessionals and teacher assistants in the public schools, mostly working with the autistic program and kids with learning disabilities. Her favorite things to do besides writing are reading, cooking, and baking. She is the author of an inspirational, historical romance, The Unwilling Bride, and a cozy mystery, Death by Broken Heart. Her next book, an inspirational, contemporary romance, Unforgiving Ghosts, will be released in spring of 2012.

To enter for a chance to win an e-book Hearts’n’Holly, please tell Candy your favorite Winter traditions. Then head over to the MAIN Winter’s Favorite page (<< — Click link) to enter the giveaway.
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Winter’s Favorite Giveaway Day~~17

Welcome to day 17 of Winter’s Favorite.
Today I have two totally Awesomely Rad ladies sharing their favorites.  Please welcome the Awesome Erin Quinn and the Rad Michele Hauf…

Erin Quinn’s favorite thing about winter:      
I live in Arizona where it’s always hot, so my favorite thing about winter is the cold.  I love sweaters and sweats, fires and hot chocolate.  I love to be all warm and toasty inside while it’s storming outside, put in a good movie and bake something while watching.  To me, paradise!
To learn more about Erin please find her here
Website http://www.erinquinn.info/
Facebook  http://www.facebook.com/ErinQuinnAuthur
Twitter http://twitter.com/#!/ErinQuinnAuthor
Michele please tell us your favorite thing about winter:
My favorite part of winter is snow.  Having lived in Minnesota all my life, I don’t have much choice.  Either embrace the stuff or move.  While you’ll never hear me claiming to love the cold (Florida, anyone?) I do love snowflakes.  I love to watch the snow flutter from the sky on big downy flakes and softly hit the ground without so much as a sound.  I have a magnifying glass I keep by the door in the winter to study snowflakes.  Seriously!  They are the most gorgeous creations.  Winter’s jewels.  I’m a huge fan of Kenneth Libbrecht’s snowflake photographs, and have this print framed in my living room.  Stop by his website and just get lost in the beauty of nature for a while!  snowcrystals.com

To Learn more about Michele please find her here

Website http://www.michelehauf.com/
Facebook http://www.facebook.com/pages/Michele-Hauf-Author/84169458804
Twitter http://twitter.com/#!/michelehauf

To enter for a chance to win an e-book of Erin’s Kissing Kris Kringle or a signed copy of Michele’s novella found in A Vampire for Christmas. Please tell Erin & Michele your favorite thing to do during winter. Then head over to the MAIN Winter’s Favorite page (<< — Click link) to enter the giveaway.
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Winter’s Favorite Giveaway Day~~16

Welcome to day 16 of Winter’s Favorites.
Today we have two wonderful authors sharing their favorites. So I will stop taking up your time and let W. Lynn Chantale & JM Kelly take over…..
Brrr, It’s Cold
by
W. Lynn Chantale
Oh what I wouldn’t give to be in the tropics or some place equally as warm. Let’s face it, Michigan is downright frigid in the winter. So far temps have hovered in the 20 to 30 degree range. Well no wonder Delia didn’t want to leave the sunshine. That hunk Jace wasn’t a bad reason to stay either.
Since I’m stuck in snow country and can’t get away to a tropical cruise, I have a hottie of my own who keeps me warm at night. Hmm, one out of two ain’t bad. 🙂 What can one do to chase away the cold winter’s blues?
Besides a steaming mug of hot chocolate, how about a loaf of fresh bread? Courtesy of my good friend Betty Crocker.
Until next time, Indulge Your Inner Romantic
Website: http://wlynnchantale.com
Blog: http://wlynnchantale-decadentdecisions.blogspot.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/wlynnchantale
Facebook:http://www.facebook.com/W.LynnChantaleAuthor


6 to 7 cups Gold Medal® all-purpose flour* or Better for Bread® bread flour
3 tablespoons sugar
1 tablespoon salt
2 tablespoons shortening
2 packages regular or quick active dry yeast (4 1/2 teaspoons)
2 1/4 cups very warm water (120° to 130°F)
2 tablespoons butter or margarine, melted, if desired
1.       In large bowl, stir 3 1/2 cups of the flour, the sugar, salt, shortening and yeast until well mixed. Add warm water. Beat with electric mixer on low speed 1 minute, scraping bowl frequently. Beat on medium speed 1 minute, scraping bowl frequently. Stir in enough remaining flour, 1 cup at a time, to make dough easy to handle.
2.       Place dough on lightly floured surface. Knead about 10 minutes or until dough is smooth and springy. Grease large bowl with shortening. Place dough in bowl, turning dough to grease all sides. Cover bowl loosely with plastic wrap and let rise in warm place 40 to 60 minutes or until dough has doubled in size. Dough is ready if indentation remains when touched.
3.       Grease bottoms and sides of two 8×4-inch or 9×5-inch loaf pans with shortening or spray with cooking spray.
4.       Gently push fist into dough to deflate. Divide dough in half. Flatten each half with hands or rolling pin into 18×9-inch rectangle on lightly floured surface. Roll dough up tightly, beginning at 9-inch side. Press with thumbs to seal after each turn. Pinch edge of dough into roll to seal. Pinch each end of roll to seal. Fold ends under loaf. Place seam side down in pan. Brush loaves lightly with butter. Cover loosely with plastic wrap and let rise in warm place 35 to 50 minutes or until dough has doubled in size.
5.       Move oven rack to low position so that tops of pans will be in center of oven. Heat oven to 425°F.
6.       Bake 25 to 30 minutes or until loaves are deep golden brown and sound hollow when tapped. Remove from pans to wire rack. Brush loaves with butter; cool.
Makes 2 loaves, 16 slices each

Please Welcome JM Kelley 

This December marks my one-year anniversary as a South Carolina resident. Living so far south of the Mason-Dixon line, I realize my winters will be vastly different. It saddens me, ever so slightly, to know that I have little-to-no use for the shovel collecting dust in my car’s trunk.
I grew up in Pennsylvania. The state in which, every five years or so, we have one of those cataclysmic snowstorms that dump multiple feet of snow on our delicate heads. But the snow has magical properties, the kinds that wipe out our memories mere days after the last dirty clump has melted away from the landscape. The minute that record snowfall is gone, we’re convinced it never happened. And the next time the weatherman excitedly declares the storm of the century has us in its sights, we’re wringing our mitten-clad hands, wondering how we will ever survive.
In Pennsylvania, survival comes in the following forms: Toilet paper, eggs, milk, and bread. Stores drag out displays of Wonder Bread and Charmin to pile up next to the shovels and ice melt. Which brings me to another Keystone State anomaly: How does a store in a small town manage to sell two hundred shovels every time it snows? The numbers simply don’t compute. If you do the math, you’d see that statistically, every person in a fifteen mile radius must own around eight shovels.
Snow makes Pennsylvanians crazy. I suppose, if you’ve grown up in a state where all four seasons can make an appearance in a twenty-four hour timeframe, there are good reasons.  I mean, as a child, I remember those mythical snowstorms that would close down the school district for a week. Snow would drift so high, I could craft a complicated and completely unsafe network of tunnels all over the front and back yard, and never disturb the snows surface. I’ve slogged through waist-deep snow. Done 360s in a car that would make Michele Kwan jealous. I’ve stood at the top of a sloping driveway and made it down to my car without taking a step because of conveniently smooth and even-layered ice.
Snow is a big deal in that state.
Pennsylvanians know that snow is hard work. But even so, in all the winters I’ve weathered there, I’ve never once eaten more than half a loaf of bread in any given snowstorm. Personally, I think winter storm warnings are a marketing ploy. The makers of the Big Four of Snowstorm Survival are giving the weathermen a cut of the profits if they adequately scare viewers into stocking up in anticipation of the next Snowmageddon. A bloody conspiracy. I guarantee it.
About two weeks after I arrived at my new home in South Carolina, wonder of wonders, we had a snowstorm. The place shut down for over a week. Literally. It was like the End Times had begun with a fanfare of trumpets and an terrifying four inches of snow.
I laughed. I mocked. I stayed home because I realized the only thing more dangerous than say, nuclear weapons in the control of madmen, was an untrained South Carolinian on unplowed roads. I valued my life. And while I waited for the nimrods in control to allow the sun to take control of cleanup efforts, I hauled my trusty little shovel out of my trunk and shoveled out my parking space.
The residents of the apartment complex were confused. They watched me shovel. I think some had popcorn. I was asked why I’d do such a thing. When replying that physically removing snow was an actual option, they laughed and shook their heads. And went back inside, like hibernating bears, waiting to reemerge once the snow had all melted away.
I kind of miss Pennsylvania winters now. Not in the sense of welcoming another chance to embrace the exhilaration of below-zero wind chills and exploding frozen water pipes. But it would be nice to walk down the street again, in freshly fallen snow, enjoying the soothing roar of plow-trucks as they mosey on by, burying every curbside car they pass. Then I’d go home and make some toast and scrambled eggs. Put those survival supplies to good use one more time.
Want to learn more about JM or her books?
Check her out here
Website http://www.jmkelleywrites.com/
Facebook  http://www.facebook.com/pages/JM-Kelley/108021242585994?sk=wall
Twitter https://twitter.com/#%21/AuthorJMKelley
To enter for a chance to win a Chrsitmas Stocking full of goodies from W. Lynn or an Ebook of Drew in Blue by JM Kelley. Please tell W. Lynn & JM your favorite holiday tradition.. Then head over to the MAIN Winter’s Favorite page (<< — Click link) to enter the giveaway.
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Winter’s Favorite Giveaway Day~~15

Welcome to Day 15 of Winter’s Favorites Giveaway.
I am pleased to welcome the WONDERFUL Stephanie Julian to the blog to share her favorite thing about winter.
My favorite thing about winter… A lazy Sunday spent by the fire with my feet up and my Nook in my hand. A day where I have nothing to do and nowhere to be. I feel no guilt as I snuggle into my chair, a throw over my legs and my feet so close to the fire they’re almost too warm. If it were summer, I’d feel guilty sitting inside, especially if it were sunny and warm. But when the temperatures below freezing and the sky is a sullen gray and I don’t have anywhere to be, there’s nowhere I’d rather be.
Find Stephanie Here: Website| Facebook | Twitter 
To enter for a chance to win an ebook from Stephanie’s backlist. Please tell Stephanie your favorite thing to do during winter. Then head over to the MAIN Winter’s Favorite page (<< — Click link) to enter the giveaway.
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Winter’s Favorite Giveaway Day~~14

Welcome to Day 14 of Winter’s Favorites Giveaway.
Today we have the Beyond Awesome Larissa Ione and the Super Sweet Leslie Dicken sharing their favorite thing about winter.   And now I give the ladies the floor… Ladies…

Larissa’s Favorite thing about Winter:
My favorite thing about winter: Snow! And hot toddies. And Christmas decorations. And did I mention the snow? I love winter so much that I even made Immortal Rider a Christmas book (okay, Christmas is mentioned, anyway!)
Find Larissa here: Website | Facebook | Twitter 


Leslie’s Favorite thing about Winter:
I’ve thought a lot about what would be my favorite thing about winter. It’s not the cold and most definitely not the shorter days. I’m not much on skiing, snowboarding, or other winter sports and activities. Yet, I do like living in a part of the world where we have a real winter. I think that’s because I love to watch the snow fall.  Not to be out in it where I will be cold and wet, but to be inside where it is toasty warm. I love to see the pretty white flakes, large or small, float gently or blow wildly through the trees. Whether it’s a dusting on the ground or a foot accumulation or more, being inside a warm house while the snow drifts around outside is my favorite part of winter. I’ve included a picture of our first snowfall this year which happened the last weekend of October.
Find Leslie here: Website | Facebook | Twitter
To enter for a chance to win a Tote-bag & Swag from Larissa and an ebook from Leslie’s backlist please tell Larissa & Leslie your favorite thing about the snow. Then head over to the MAIN Winter’s Favorite page (<< — Click link) to enter the giveaway
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Winter’s Favorite Giveaway Day~~13

Welcome to day 13 of Winter’s Favorites. On the blog today I have JK Coi sharing her favorite thing about Winter.
My favourite thing about winter is the food. I know, sounds crazy, right? But there are certain foods that make me feel warm and protected, and they all come in winter.
1) Clementines. Have you had these tiny oranges before? They’re so sweet and juicy, and the citrus smell sticks to your fingers after you peel them. It’s cozy and invigorating at the same time, as impossible as that seems.
2) Specialty coffees. There are so many different coffees that come out just for the holiday season. After playing with my son outside, or when it’s snowing and I’m stuck at the computer, the flavoured coffees make me feel just a little bit happeier. Starbucks has an AMAZING egg nog latte that I cannot get enough of. When I bring my laptop and hunker down in one of their corner couches to try and write, it’s the perfect drink to keep me focused.
3) Turkey. Man, I love turkey. And in our family, we have turkey on Christmas day. When I make it at home (depending on who is hosting the family dinner that year) I always get an extra big bird because I love to have leftovers for making sandwiches with in the week after Christmas when you’ve gorged yourself for so long you can’t bear to make a real dinner until the new year.
4) Nuts. Why is it that nuts are a holiday snack, but it’s true. For some reason I only buy them at this time of year. Cashews and walnuts, and chestnuts. Oh, chestnuts. I like roasting them and serving them nice and hot.
5) Cookies. My grandmother makes the best cookies, and only at Christmas. Lemon cookies, almond half-moon shaped things, shortbreads, gingerbreads, sugar cookies in the shape of cute Christmas trees. I gain 10 pounds just because of these, but it’s completely worth it!
What are your favorite treats of the holiday season? Does your family have a recipe that only comes out at this time of year?
Thanks to Kelly for giving me the opportunity to be a guest today! To say thank you, I’d like to offer a copy of my holiday steampunk novella from Carina Press, FAR FROM BROKEN, and a set of romance trading cards featuring all of the novellas in A Clockwork Christmas.
Far From Broken 
Format: Kindle Edition
File Size: 322 KB
Publisher: Carina Press (December 5, 2011)
Sold by: Amazon Digital Services
Language: English
ASIN: B005Z1CTZI
27,000 words
Order HERE
Blurb:
Soldier. Spymaster. Husband.
Colonel Jasper Carlisle was defined by his work until he met his wife. When the prima ballerina swept into his life with her affection, bright laughter and graceful movements, he knew that she was the reason for his existence, and that their love would be forever.
But their world is shattered when Callie is kidnapped and brutally tortured by the foes Jasper has been hunting. Mechanical parts have replaced her legs, her hand, her eye…and possibly her heart. Though she survived, her anger at Jasper consumes her, while Jasper’s guilt drives him from the woman he loves. He longs for the chance to show her their love can withstand anything…including her new clockwork parts.
As the holiday season approaches, Jasper realizes he must fight not just for his wife’s love and forgiveness…but also her life, as his enemy once again attempts to tear them apart.

To enter for a chance to win JK’s Steampunk novella & trading cards please tell JK your favorite holiday food. Then head over to the MAIN Winter’s Favorite page (<< — Click link) to enter the giveaway.
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Winter’s Favorite Giveaway Day 12

Welcome to day 12 of Winter’s Favorites.
Today I have 2 of my absolute favorite authors on the blog today.  I have had the great pleasure of meeting both of these wonderful ladies and spend a great deal of time with each of them.
So without further ado please welcome the Super Sweet Laurie London and the Scandal Queen Delilah Marvelle.

Please welcome Laurie London:
Thanks, Kelly, for having me on today!
I wanted to share with your readers a very special recipe I make for the holidays.
If you’ve read my books, you’ll notice there’s usually an important scene that revolves around food. It might be a sexy scene, one where secrets are revealed, or just two people getting to know each other. For instance, in Enchanted By Blood, my story in the anthology A VAMPIRE FOR CHRISTMAS, Trace and Charlotte first talk at an all-night diner over coffee and stale doughnuts.
Food connects us to our past and helps keep memories alive. My grandma used to make this wonderful Eggnog Pie for the holidays. I’m thankful she contributed her recipe to the Cedar Creek Grist Mill Cookbook, published in 1991, because otherwise, I wouldn’t have had it.

Several years after she passed away, I was missing her and made the pie for my grandpa at Thanksgiving, using my own chickens’ eggs. It made him so happy that I started making it for all the holidays.

Gommo’s original recipe calls for making a regular pastry crust. I did that at first but found we all preferred a graham cracker crust. Sorry, Gommo! (Even Poppo liked it this way too.) It’s even easier.

1 tsp. Knox gelatin
1 Tbsp. water
1 c. milk
1/2 c. sugar
2 Tbsp. cornstarch
Pinch of salt
3 egg yolks, beaten
1 Tbsp. butter
1 tsp. vanilla
1 c. heavy cream, whipped
Nutmeg
1 graham cracker crust pie shell

1. Soak gelatin in the water to soften. Set aside.
2. Scald milk in top of double boiler.
3. Combine sugar, cornstarch and salt. Add to scalded milk and cook until smooth, stirring constantly.
4. Stir small amount of hot mixture into the eggs to temper them, then return to the double boiler and cook three to four minutes longer, stirring constantly with a whisk.
5. Remove from heat. Add gelatin mixture and butter. Whisk till smooth. Cool.
6. Add vanilla. Fold whipped cream into custard mixture. Pour into pie shell and sprinkle with nutmeg. Chill pie until ready to serve.

Enjoy!
You can find Laurie here: Website | Facebook | Twitter
Please welcome Delilah Marvelle:
12 Things I Love about Winter
Born and raised in Chicago where winter not only nips your nose but your ass straight through your jeans, you better believe a girl like me has to find joy in
winter or just altogether die from it.  I prefer to find joy in it and what better way than by sharing it with the world.  So in honor of what we know to be the 12 days of Christmas,
I’m doing my own version of 12 Things I Love about Winter.
1.)  I can stay in the house, remain dressed in flannel Pj’s, write and drink tons of hot chocolate spiked with hazelnut and vodka without coming across as a slob, a recluse and an alcoholic.
2.)  I can wear a warm, fuzzy hat on my head so I don’t need to spend time straightening my hair or messing with it.  I stay warm AND look good with no hassle.  Imagine that.
3.)  Boots, boots, boots!!!  I’m a boot girl and I get to pull out all 10 pairs of my boots that sit in my closet and wear them all (though not at the same time….obviously).
4.)  I get to bake.  Gingerbread girls with short skirts and gingerbread men with buff arms (you think I’m lying?!).  I loooooove baking.  As a culinary chef who worked with a top notch pastry chef before my writing swept me away from it, I learned how to do everything from ganache to apricot glazes sage cookies to glass windows for ginger breads houses made out of sugar.  I love how my house smells like cinnamon and sugar cookies naturally, instead of those plug in wall thingies that would kill you if you tried to lick it…
5.)  I get to buy sweaters!  Every winter, I buy two new sweaters to snuggle into.  Call it a winter tradition, but I love nestling into a sweater when the cold rolls in.
6.)  Sledding.  Omgosh, as a girl, I loved tugging up that sled and feel the rush at the cost of nothing but my sore legs going up and down the hill.  And I still love it!!  Only now, I get to do it with my kids (and realize I’m getting old when they beat ME up the hill…)  Sadly, in Portland, Oregon snow is rare, but we have mountains we can hunt down within an hour’s time.  AND it does snow on occasion.  When it does snow, I love running out with the kids and feeling like I’m in the movie Edward Scissorhands and seeing snow for the first time.  It feels new every year I see it, especially with me now living in Portland, seeing snow is rare.
7.)  I get to make stews and soups galore and no one complains about it (because they all want comfort food right along with me!).
8.)  Winter means my favorite holiday is coming: Christmas.
9.)  I get to ice skate, ski and snowboard!  Ice skating I’ve done in downtown Chicago since I was old enough to walk, but skiing?  The first time I ever hit the slopes was when I came to Oregon and hit up Mount Hood at the age of 23.  We don’t have mountains in Chicago and they don’t let you ski off the Sears Tower (Sigh.  I know.).  My first experience was…scary as hell.  My husband (Mr. Ski pro) bought me skis and together we took the lift up the mountain (because I’m like ‘Bring it.’  Heh).  That’s right…no ski experience whatsoever and I decided to take on Mount Freakin Hood like some city girl wearing heels on ice.  And I not only took on Mount Hood but I did the BLUE run instead of the easy Green.  Because I just had to impress my husband.  It took me over an hour to get down that mountain (it took my husband 15 minutes).  Every breath I thought I was going to die or that my legs were going to snap and when I saw a guy in front of me lose control and disappear off somewhere, that’s when I took off my skis and trudged down the mountain before I ended up like him.  But guess what?  I put those skis back on and went up again…and again…and again until I no longer took off my skis but actually went down the mountain.  I’ve been hooked ever since.
10.)  Seat warmers in the car go on.  It sounds totally stupid but having the seat warmer on in the car makes this girl HAPPY.  Who knew having a warm butt could bring so much joy?
11.)  The skies at night look so much crisper and cleaner.  I don’t know why, but I get this “I’m alive feeling” when I walk around at night and it makes me SO happy.
12.)   And my favorite…I get to bundle up in bed with my hubbie. I love bundling up with him in bed. The guy is like Jacob from Twilight, he’s always unusually warm at night (high metabolism). During the summer, it sucks, and I roll away from him because I’m trying to stay cool, but during the winter? You better believe I get in extra snuggle time. He keeps me warm alllllllll winter long and that alone is why I love winter 🙂
You can find Delilah here: Website | Facebook | Twitter

Laurie is offering a signed copy A Vampire for Christmas. 
Delilah is offering a signed copy of her upcoming release Forever & a Day. 
To enter please tell Laurie & Delilah your favorite thing about winter and then head over to the MAIN Winter’s Favorites page (<<—– click link) and enter on the main page. 
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Winter’s Favorite Giveaway Day 11

Welcome to day 11 of Winter’s Favorites.
I have the very Spunky Maggie Wells sharing her favorite (and very naughty) thing about Winter…. Take it away Maggie.
What do I love most about winter? Body heat, baby!
Is there anything better than a little shared warmth? I think not. Cold, dark mornings are made for snooze buttons and snuggling up to my own personal human oven. My hero’s hands are always toasty, no matter the temperature, but more important; he’s willing to share the sizzle. I don’t mind winter’s fast approach. There’s nothing better for chasing away the worries of short, chilly days than long, red hot nights!
Cuddle up, Buttercup!

Maggie’s Bio:
By day Maggie Wells is buried in spreadsheets. At night she pens tales of people tangling up the sheets. She’ll tell you she’s a deep down dirty girl, but you only have to scratch the surface of this mild-mannered married lady to find a naughty streak a mile wide. The product of a charming rogue and a shameless flirt, she just
can’t help herself and that’s part of her charm. Learn more about Maggie at: www.maggiewells.weebly.com
Maggie has offered me an e-copy of Seducing Steve to giveaway and after twisting her pal Margaret Ethridge arm she convinced Maragaret to donate two of her ebooks to the Winter’s Favorites Giveaway.  Below you will find a description of each of the books. To enter for a chance to win one of these wonderful books please leave Maggie a comment and let her know your favorite thing about winter. Then head over to the MAIN Winter’s Favorite page (<<—-Click on link to take you there) to enter.

Seducing Steve by Maggie Wells
Erotic romance novelist Sara Wright yearns for passion that leaps from the page. After a marriage that proved to be more fizzle than sizzle, Sara’s writing reflects her growing frustration and also her secret passion for her best friend and muse, Steve Larson.
Steve Larson is anything but your typical romance hero. A redheaded computer nerd with a slow, southern drawl, Steve is neither a cattle baron nor a titan of industry. The one thing he does have going for him is that he has loved Sara from the moment he met her.
When she confesses that he has long served as her inspiration, Steve leaps at the chance to take things to the next level. Determined to be the man to make her fantasies come true, he takes a page from Sara’s own books and plots a passion so intense it threatens to consume them and the friendship they both cherish.
When friends turn into lovers, love can get lost in the shuffle. Fact becomes tightly cocooned in fiction as both Sara and Steve learn to balance their desires with the needs of their hearts.
Paramour by Margaret Ethridge
Two men: one living, one dead, and both vying for her love.
Camellia Stafford has never been alone in her room. For twenty years, she’s been engaged in a fierce power struggle with her bedroom’s previous tenant, Frank DeLuca, the ghost trapped in the light fixture above her bed.
Caustic and cranky, Frank has one soft spot—Cam. Over the years, their feelings for one another have evolved from grudging friendship to an enduring love that burns white-hot until Frank puts his feelings for Cam on ice.
When she suffers the loss of her beloved father, Cam returns home to say good-bye, and confront her feelings for Frank. She finds an unexpected shoulder to lean on in neighbor, Bradley Mitchum. Cam falls hard and fast for the handsome ad man’s charming smile and passionate nature, but Brad’s easy-going exterior masks a steely backbone tempered by adversity.
Now Cam must choose— Is her heart strong enough to determine which dream could lead to a love that will last a lifetime?
Contentment by Margaret Ethridge
Tracy Sullivan seems to have it all, a handsome, devoted husband, three beautiful children, a steady career, and the perfect suburban home; but she isn‟t happy.
The petty resentments that have built over fifteen years of marriage surface when Tracy tells her husband, Sean, that she is no longer interested in sex, and their marriage threatens to implode.
For the sake of their children, Tracy and Sean agree to lead separate lives under the same roof. With the help of a healthy dose of adult-rated fiction and some gentle prodding from a good friend, Tracy begins to rediscover who she is, what she wants, and the reasons she fell for Sean once upon a time.
After two years of soul-searching, Tracy is finally ready to embrace her happily ever after having learned that while happiness may be fleeting, contentment can last a lifetime.
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Winter’s Favorite Giveaway Day 10

Welcome to Day 10 of Winter’s Favorites
I have the Wonderful Patrica Leever and the Very Talented Jaci Burton on the blog today talking about their favorite thing about winter.  
Ready Ladies?   Take it away Patty….

Hidey ho-ho-ho my little snowy love monkeys! I’m here at Book-N-Kisses to share with you my favorite things of winter.
Now, as a born and raised Southern Californian, my scope of winter may be slightly skewed. I know not of this fluffy white stuff called snow or this slippery business known as ice. I’ve heard stories from some of my wonderful friends across these great United States about snow days, ice scrapers and salt trucks. These are concepts that are completely lost on me as I’m still not 100% certain what a salt truck is and/or what it does. And you know what I’m perfectly fine with that. So I guess you could say that one of my favorite things about winter is that I live in Southern California.
However, my most favorite thing (well, things if we are going to get technical) about winter is that every one of my four children were born in winter. They may drive me bonkers on the regular but they are my greatest accomplishment and my greatest love and by far my most favorite things about winter!
Happy Holidays everyone!
Patty <3
Find Patty here WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | TWITTER

Jaci, Please tell the peeps your favorite thing about winter…..

Winter is not typically my favorite season. I’m not a fan of cold weather at all. I love summer. Flip flops and tank tops and riding on the Harley with my husband.

But there are some advantages to winter. First, all the bugs die—especially the flies. I hate flies with the passion of a thousand suns. So in the winter, after a few hard freezes, they’re gone, and I have a few months bug free. Win!
The other thing I love about winter is the food factor. In the summer it’s all about showing skin, so you have to watch what you eat. In the winter, everyone’s bundled up, and we all tend to eat a little more to stay warm. Or at least that’s what we do at my house. I make a lot of chili, stew and chicken and dumplings in the winter. Nothing like a little comfort food on a cold day, is there?
Hope you all stay warm this winter!
Jaci
Website: http://www.jaciburton.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/jaciburton
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorJaciBurton
All She Wants for Christmas
Book One in the Kent Brothers Series

Big Star, Small-Town Christmas
Country singer Riley Jensen would never have returned to her small Missouri hometown if her publicist hadn’t come up with the scheme to tape a Christmas special there. So she never would have known that the man who broke her heart at eighteen—causing her to flee to Nashville—was now a widower with a seven-year-old daughter. Riley has ten years of angst-filled hit songs and Grammy awards to prove she doesn’t need Ethan Kent. But suddenly, she can’t help thinking of all she gave up by running away…
Ethan Kent knew Riley had the talent and the drive to make it as a singer. He also knew she wasn’t going anywhere if she stayed in their nowhere town for him. Then one night and one huge mistake sent her running on the road to fame. Which doesn’t mean he ever stopped loving her…
But with so much separating them, can Riley and Ethan find their way back together one magical country Christmas?

Patrica is offering an e-book of Cat O’Nine Tales and Swagbag
Jaci is offering an e-book of All She Wants for Christmas…. 
So to enter, Please tell Patty & Jaci your favorite thing about Winter, then head over to the MAIN Winter’s Favorites page (<– Click the link it will take you to the page) to enter.