HAPPY 2012!

I sincerely wish you a healthy, happy and prosperous 2012!

Winner of Virna DePaul December Joyathon Giveaway

Congrats to:

StacieD

She's won a copy of HAVE YOURSELF A NAUGHTY LITTLE SANTA from Virna DePaul!!

Winner has been contacted via email. Winner has 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen.

A huge THANK YOU to authors and readers for making the December Joyathon a super awesome event. We'll have to do it again next year. Don't forget that there's a few hours left to enter for the super secret prize. Enter here.

Jamie and Kati's Best of 2011

Oh my goodness. What a wonderful first year (almost) it has been blogging, reviewing and hosting some of your and my favorite authors. I've met so many wonderful people (okay, "met" = Twitter) in the romance community, squealed like a fangirl so many times, devoured so many books, got sneak peeks at coveted reads and so much more.

Oh, did I mention that I met my internet BFF Jamie Lynn at RomCon in Denver this past summer? Yeah. I did. Today we are sharing our Best Of 2011 List under each category.


HISTORICAL:

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• Kati's Pick: LORD AND LADY SPY by Shana Galen.
  Fast paced action, scorching hot chemistry, dangerously explosive, a super sexy spy and one kickass heroine who can hold her own against any man.
  
  
• Jamie's Pick: UNVEILED by Courtney Milan
  Ash Turner was all about revenge until he meet Margaret. Seriously, I dare you to read Unveiled and not fall in love with Ash.

CONTEMPORARY:

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• Kati's Pick: WILD THING by Robin Kaye
  Hello hottie wilderness guy, meet goth city girl who hangs out with models for a living. A laugh out loud read.
  
  
• Jamie's Pick: A LOT LIKE LOVE by Julie James
  What could be better then a sexy FBI agent, wine and a steamy bathtub scene. Not to mention some witty dialogue and a bit of suspense thrown in. Nothing. Julie James is like the Queen of Contemporary Romance. The sexual tension between Nick and Jordan are enough to make you sweat and when they get together it’s hot. Did I mention the bathtub?

PARANORMAL:

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• Kati's Pick: ETERNAL RIDER by Larissa Ione
  Unholy mother of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse this is all sorts of AMAZEBALLS. Breaking seals = the end of the world(literally), paralyzation via Hellhound saliva, an angel father, a succubus mother, EPIC battle scenes worthy of a multimillion dollar Hollywood movie or HBO/Starz show, 3 super sexy horsemen, 1 awesomely sassy horsewoman, 1 good guardian angel bent on earning his wings, 1 bad angel willing to do anything to tip the scale for the bad guys...are you getting the picture?
  
  
• Jamie's Pick: HALFWAY TO THE GRAVE by Jeaniene Frost
  Where have I been hiding that I’ve missed out on Cat and Bones? I am so glad I picked this up. Cat a kick ass female, vampire killer who is on her own mission when she meets the sexy vampire Bones. Bones is dead sexy with an accent that will melt your panties.

EROTIC/EROTICA: 

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• Kati's Pick: SEVEN DAY LOAN by Tiffany Reisz
  Take one sexy librarian, a sassy sub and one week of toe curling, moan inducing, thigh clenching sex and you've got a recipe for a well balanced read full of heart tugging emotion and oh my god! sexiness. Warning: Fisting may be involved. There is a breathing technique. Don't try this at home unless you're with a professional.
  
  
• Jamie's Pick: BELONG TO ME by Shayla Black
  This book starts off with a THWACK! Seriously, that’s how it starts and how we meet Logan who is a Navy SEAL and Dominant at a BDSM club. Logan comes face to face with the one woman he’s ever loved as she is training to be a submissive for an FBI investigation. Tara wants nothing more then to run away from Logan like he did to her but she needs him... in more ways than one.

ROMANTIC SUSPENSE:

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• Kati's Pick: BREAKING POINT by Pamela Clare
  Er, where do I even begin on this one? Oh Zach Black. Heart pounding, adrenaline rushing, danger around every corner and through the desert, torture with a homemade electric shocker, a man who will keep secrets at any cost, a woman kidnapped from a bus full of dead fellow journalists and an escape that will lead them through dangerous territory. It helped that I kept picturing Jed Hill as I read. Oh you know, the cover model.
  
  
• Jamie's Pick: SHOW NO MERCY by Cindy Gerard
  This was my year for romantic suspense but Show No Mercy was easily my favorite. It was the prefect mix of suspense and romance to get your blood pumping. Plus, Gabe is hot, tortured and ALPHA.

TIME TRAVEL:

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• Jamie and Kati's Pick: THE RAKE AND THE RECLUSE by Jenn LeBlanc
  Once you get past wiping the drool off your chin from the gorgeous pictures, you’ll find a story of a 21st century woman whose family history involves certain relatives born in the wrong time, trying to get back to where they belong (Don’t you feel like that some days, that you were born into the wrong century?) and a reclusive 19th century Duke ready to put aside his mistress and do his duty. At least until he almost runs over the poor woman.
  Well, this should be obvious. I’m agreeing with Kati not just for the pictures. I’m just waiting to get transported back to Victorian England and find a sexy Duke.

SERIES:

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• Kati's Pick: Donovan Brothers Brewery by Victoria Dahl
  Take 3 siblings, 2 guys and 1 girl, a fun family brewpub business, 3 very different significant others and a lot of sexy, laugh out loud moments and you’ve got one hell of a read. The books get sexier and you might need a safeword by the end. Seriously.
  
  
• Jamie's Pick:I’m going to agree with Kati (and frankly I said it first lol) that Victoria Dahl’s Donovan Brothers Brewery was my favorite series. I LOVE Victoria Dahl’s contemporaries because its the perfect mix of sexiness and funny moments.

HONORABLE MENTION:

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• Kati's Pick: HOW TO MARRY A DUKE by Vicky Dreiling
  When I read this book, I was obsessed with The Bachelor/The Bachelorette at the time and boy, did Vicky hit the stereotypes on the head. Just simply hilarious. Take one Duke looking for a wife, 24 girls encouraged by their marriage minded mamas, a successful matchmaker, several eliminations and tasks that must be completed and you’ve got a laugh out loud read. It’s The Bachelor regency style meets Emma.

• Jamie's Pick: DEADLY DESCENT by Kaylea Cross
  This book nearly broke my heart. It’s an intense read that makes you appreciate the men an women who serve our country. But it is also a romance and two people overcoming a lot to find love. Devon and Cam had an instant spark and you can’t help but root for them

So there you have it kids. Those are the books we picked. Did any of these make your must read list? 

And because we love, love, love THE RAKE AND THE RECLUSE so much, we're giving away 2 copies of the original book.


Here's how to get your ogleage on:

• Leave a comment telling us what book(s) made it to your must read list of 2011 along with your email addy, ninja style: yourname at gmail dot com.
• Fill out the rafflecopter form below. The only mandatory thing is leaving a comment. All other entries are optional. 
• Giveaway is open INTERNATIONALLY. Please make sure the book is available for download in your country before entering. (Kindle/EPUB. If it is sent as EPUB, it will be gifted through All Romance Ebooks and you need an account with them to receive it.)

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Fanny Fun

Look who's ready to party, Fanny Fun! Fanny is stepping into the disco ball's spotlight and dancing her way through the last hours of 2011. After Fanny is done partying, she'll join the Dude Time Doodles family. Hope your plans for ending 2011 includes lots of fun! 

Winner of Joan Swan December Joyathon Giveaway

Congrats to:

miki

She's won a copy of A VAMPIRE FOR CHRISTMAS anthology from Joan Swan.

Winner has been contacted via email. Winner has 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen.

Don't fret my lovelies. There's are more books being given away by fabulous authors. Keep up with the Joyathon here or if you're looking for all the Joyathon posts, go here AND don't forget about the awesome super secret prize. Enter here

A Little Dusting

We received a little dusting of snow and low and behold, I looked out my window and what do I see, certainly not what I expected! There stood Merry Christmas from Just Inklined obviously getting a head start celebrating the New Year! I hope we don't get a warm spell, I'd hate for this cute couple to miss the real deal. 

Winner of Melissa Mayhue December Joyathon Giveaway

Congrats to:

Danielle Gorman

She's won a copy of CHRISTMAS KNIGHT by Christina Skye from Melissa Mayhue!

Winner has been notified via email. Winner has 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen.

Don't fret my lovelies. There's are more books being given away by fabulous authors. Keep up with the Joyathon here or if you're looking for all the Joyathon posts, go here AND don't forget about the awesome super secret prize. Enter here

Winner of Karen White Audio CD Giveaway

Congrats to: 

Lynn Reynolds

She's won an audiobook copy of ANIMAL MAGNETISM by Jill Shalvis from Karen White.

Winner has been contacted by email. Winner has 48 hours to respond of a new winner will be chosen.

Thanks to Karen for hanging out and giving away the audiobook.

Thank You Santa!

If you read my post yesterday, you know Santa gave me the stamp I used for that card and the same tutorial for today's cards. I must say I'm in love with the image! But I think I used too much bling.

December Joyathon Winners for Penny Watson, Jenn LeBlanc and Ashley March Giveaways

Congrats to:

Susan G 

(She's won an e-book copy of SWEET MAGIC from Penny Watson)

yadkny

(She's won a copy of A WALLFLOWER CHRISTMAS from Jenn LeBlanc)

marybelle

(She's won a copy of A WALLFLOWER CHRISTMAS from Ashley March)

I do apologize for not picking winners sooner. I've been having too much fun visiting family and catching up with old friends.

Winners have been notified via email. Winner has 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen.

Don't fret my lovelies. There's are more books being given away by fabulous authors. Keep up with the Joyathon here or if you're looking for all the Joyathon posts, go here AND don't forget about the awesome super secret prize. Enter here

Time for Thank You Notes

Because I received so many wonderful gifts for Christmas, looks like I am going to deplete my stash of thank you notes. To replenish my supply, I used the new Hero Arts Large Flower Background stamp that Santa brought me after he watched the tutorial featuring its use. To make this card all you need is embossing powder, alcohol inks and clean fingers! 

Interview with Melissa Mayhue

Hullo all you lovely readers! I've got the fantabulous Melissa Mayhue on the blog today sharing her latest release, Warrior's Redemption. Let me tell you, this was my first Melissa Mayhue book *waits for gasps to die down* and I love, love, loved it! More highlanders please! I've been stuck in the Regency Era for so long, I've forgotten my first love: Highlanders. Melissa was just here on the blog not too long ago so she's a repeat offender. :) Let's give her a warm welcome:

HOWDY MELISSA!!!!

Meet Melissa:

Melissa Mayhue is the award-winning author of nine romances for Pocket Books: Thirty Nights with A Highland Husband, Highland Guardian, Soul of A Highlander, A Highlander of Her Own, A Highlander's Destiny, A Highlander's Homecoming, Healing the Highlander, Highlander's Curse and Warrior's Redemption. She and her family live in Colorado in the shadow of beautiful Rocky Mountains with two insanely spoiled dogs, one domineering cat, a turtle with attitude, and way too many fish in their aquarium. 

Where To Find Melissa: Author Site | Facebook | Twitter

Kati: Let's jump into things since you recently celebrated the December Joyathon with us here on Romancing Rakes. Tell us about WARRIOR'S REDEMPTION. 
Melissa: WARNING: Telling you more about this book MAY include spoilers for earlier books!!! Let me also assure your readers that even if they have not read the earlier books, they can start with this one and they’ll know everything that’s happening.

WARRIOR’S REDEMPTION is the first book in The Warriors series, a spin-off from The Daughters of the Glen. In this first book, readers of the old series will see some familiar names and places right from the beginning. There’s a visit to Wyddecol [home of the Fae] where they first meet Elesyria, a character who was first mentioned in A HIGHLANDER’S HOMECOMING. She’s the Faerie mother of the heroine in that book, Isabella MacGahan.

This story picks up a little over a year after Isabella and Robert [along with Jamie], escape through time. Since Isabella is no longer in the time and place where she belongs, Elesyria – who’s been keeping an eye on her all these years – thinks she’s dead… and she’s out for retribution.

In addition to furious Faeries, we’re introduced – actually Re-introduced – to characters who were more than they seemed when we first met them in that same book. The MacDowylt brothers, Malcolm and Patrick, are central to this book and we find that they’re direct descendents of the Norse god, Odin. We also meet more of the MacDowylt family, in particular, their younger sister and brother, Christiana and Dermid, and their powerful [and totally corrupt] brother, Torquil.

I had so much fun writing this book! The characters took on lives of their own and the story just kept growing! Elesyria, for example, was originally intended to be only a bit player in the story, but as I got to know her better, she totally stole my heart. I’m working on the next in the series now, WARRIOR’S REBIRTH, and even I’m surprised by the characters who are showing up! (From the preview at the back of WARRIOR'S REDEMPTION, I am eagerly awaiting it!)

K: Tell us about your hero and heroine.
M: Malcolm MacDowylt was the brash young warrior in A HIGHLANDER’S HOMECOMING who’d arrived to claim Isabella’s hand in marriage and through that, Castle MacGahan. We pick back up with him just over a year later, after he’s gotten what he wanted, and we see the price he’s paid for his marriage to Isabella. As is not all that unusual for my heroes, he’s tormented by his past, burdened by the responsibility of consequences of all his actions.

I really like Malcolm. He was originally created to be a second tier bad guy, but I learned quickly enough as I wrote him in that first book, he was no bad guy. He has a heart of gold and a serious case of “I-Must-Save-The-World”-itis!!! His preference is to save everyone without endangering anyone – not an easy task in 1294 Scotland. Perhaps because of what he is, he tends to over-think every step. But once he’s decided on a course of action, he goes for it!

Danielle Dearmon is one of the most dedicated and stubborn heroines I’ve known in my stories. She has believed in Faeries since she was eight years old and she knows deep in her soul they have a purpose in mind for her. When Dani find something she wants – or someone she cares for – nothing can stop her from doing what she thinks is right.

K: What drew you to writing time travel romances?
M: I love the Happy Ever After of romances and I love the excitement of fantasy. Time Travel romances are a natural for me because they allow me to indulge in all of what I think is best in a good book.

K: Do you have any writing rituals? (eating cookies, drinking wine, absolute silence...)
M: I used to think that I did, but now that I’m working on my tenth book, I realize that the process – and what I have to do to capture those words! – changes from book to book. Most of the time I need to listen to music while I write. Music, but not singing. Words bring me out of the story and I find myself ‘seeing’ what’s happening in the song rather than what’s happening in the story I’m writing.

I typically write in my office [aka: the messiest place on the face of the Earth]. But sometimes, especially near the end of a story or close to a deadline, I have to get away from the familiar. There’s a Starbucks in town that I like to visit for those times.

K: What do you have next in store for readers?
M: As I mentioned earlier, I’m currently working on the next book in this series, WARRIOR’S REBIRTH. The hero has never appeared in one of my books… though readers may know OF him. It’s Chase Noble, the long-missing brother of Destiny [A HIGHLANDER’S DESTINY] and Leah [HEALING THE HIGHLANDER]. And the heroine? Christiana MacDowylt!

From there? Another Warrior book, though I’m not sure who the main players will be yet. I have several who are clamoring for my attention… and as the action in this current book grows, their demands are all pretty darn compelling!!

K: Thanks so much Melissa for hanging out with my readers again. :)
M: Thank you, Kati, for inviting me back! I’d like to extend an open invitation to all your readers to visit my website at www.MelissaMayhue.com where they can learn more about the series, little tidbits about the family lines [family trees] and even view recipes sent in by my readers! While they’re there, I’d also like to encourage them to consider signing up for my newsletter, where we hold special contests just for our subscribers!

WARRIOR'S REDEMPTION:

Malcolm MacDowylt sees himself a failed warrior, haunted by the death of the woman he married to become laird of Clan MacGahan. Neither his Viking heritage nor his claim to descend from Norse gods can restore his confidence in his ability to protect his people. His sister is held captive, her life in jeopardy, and his Magically powerful half brother wants him dead. The last thing he needs is more responsibility, but that's exactly what he gets when his Faerie mother-in-law arrives seeking justice for her daughter in the form of an enticing woman from seven hundred years in the future.

Danielle Dearmon has waited fifteen years to discover the life she is supposed to live. She just never dreamed she'd end up in the thirteenth century with a handsome Scot bent on saving everyone but himself.

With the lives of those most dear to him hanging in the balance, Malcolm sets out to battle a powerful evil magic, only to learn that the redemption he seeks exists in the arms of the woman he loves.

Where To Buy: Amazon(pb) | Kindle | B&N(pb) | Nook | Book Depository
Book Extras: Read an Excerpt

A huge thank you to Melissa for hanging out on the blog again and to Ayelet Gruenspecht for forwarding correspondence between Melissa and I.

Review: Warrior's Redemption by Melissa Mayhue

WARRIOR'S REDEMPTION by Melissa Mayhue
FORMAT: Paperback
GENRE: Historical romance (Time Travel)
MASS MARKET PAPERBACK: 400 pages
PUBLISHER: Pocket Star (December 27, 2011)
ISBN: 9781451640878

Malcolm MacDowylt sees himself a failed warrior, haunted by the death of the woman he married to become laird of Clan MacGahan. Neither his Viking heritage nor his claim to descend from Norse gods can restore his confidence in his ability to protect his people. His sister is held captive, her life in jeopardy, and his Magically powerful half brother wants him dead. The last thing he needs is more responsibility, but that's exactly what he gets when his Faerie mother-in-law arrives seeking justice for her daughter in the form of an enticing woman from seven hundred years in the future.

Danielle Dearmon has waited fifteen years to discover the life she is supposed to live. She just never dreamed she'd end up in the thirteenth century with a handsome Scot bent on saving everyone but himself.

With the lives of those most dear to him hanging in the balance, Malcolm sets out to battle a powerful evil magic, only to learn that the redemption he seeks exists in the arms of the woman he loves.

Where To Find Melissa: Author Site | Facebook | Twitter
Where To Buy: Amazon(pb) | Kindle | B&N(pb) | Nook | Book Depository

Go and Buy it NOW!

REVIEW:

I love Highlanders. Whether they're in their own time or ours. I love time travel romances. The rush of the past colliding with the present makes for a laugh out loud read. Hellooo! Communicating and using modern phrases that confuses the other person gets giggles out of me.

Reasons to Read This Book:

1. Highlanders. I mean, I just wanted to have this one reason and I know you'd read it because of their super awesome alphaness but Malcolm 'Colm' MacDowylt deep down inside is a big softie. His sister is held captive by his half brother, Torquil, who is super powerful (with lots of magic), his younger brother Dermid is all gung-ho about going to rescue their sister and bam! some woman falls out of the sky and turns his life upside down and inside out with her weird modern day phrases. 
2. The Modern Day Woman. Poor Danielle Dearmon. She's been leaving out milk for the faeris since she was girl and has gotten nothing. Zip. Zilch. Nada. Bupkis. Finally fed up with not hearing from the faeries (finding her greater purpose and/or destiny in life) she takes it upon herself to reach out them. During Samhain, she creates fairy circle in her living room (after spending her paycheck on expensive stones) and calls out to them. Bad idea. She wakes up in another stone circle, cold and alone. Slightly disoriented.
3. Fairy godmother. *snort* Okay. She is a faerie and the mother of Malcolm's deceased wife. She breezes back into his life and claims that she wants to see him happy. Happy in the form of a woman from the future. As Dani's companion, she tries to teach her about the time Dani is in. I have a feeling that there's something going on between Elesyria and Malcolm's brother and right hand man, Patrick.
4. Evil half brother. Not bad boy brother but evil half brother. There's a difference. Torquil was the only child of his father and mother. His father took up with Malcolm's mother and intended for Malcolm to inherit. *cue lots and lots of jealousy* It doesn't help that Torquil is magical and can wreck havoc with it. 
5. Future-seeing sister. Christiana MacDowylt is being held prisoner by her half brother Torquil since she has the gift of vision which is the only power he does not have. Malcolm tries to rescue her but she tells him that it is not meant to be. Someone else is supposed to do it and he should just leave her there. I am anxious to find out how she is rescued after reading the teaser at the end of the book.

FAVORITE QUOTE:

His accusation felt like a punch to the stomach. Here she was spending her nights battling some physical obsession with this man, and he viewed her as nothing more than punishment from the Fae.

OVERALL: Why has it taken me this long to read a Melissa Mayhue book? (no don't answer that) She's reminded me why my first love will always be Highlanders. It's not those easy access kilts or the broadsword strapped to a muscular back (Well, who am I kidding? It's that first and foremost) but the way to guard and love their women. All that alpha aggression put to use in *ahem* the bedroom. Mayhue weaves a magical tale of danger, love, laugh-out-loud moments and above all, sacrifice. I am looking forward to reading Christiana's story and am hoping to hunker down and read The Daughters of the Glen series, of which this one is a spin-off of.


***review copy provided by publisher***

Winner: The Rake and The Recluse Redux

I hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas and hopefully Santa was very good to you! And to keep the gift giving going I have the winner of Jenn LeBlanc's The Rake and The Recluse complete serial novel... yep, all 6 parts!

I used random.org to pick the winner and that winner is:

Emily Tardy

Yay! Congrats Emily! Please email me at fortheloveofromance @ gmail . com


Stay tuned for the rest of Jenn's blog tour and check in here for some fun stuff that's coming soon!

Santa Christmas

Santa Christmas is from Karen's Doodles, and I know we are all weary of Christmas cards but we have a problem Houston! I have it on excellent authority that when Santa got home after delivering all the presents, he had leftovers in his sleigh.  So now, he's checking his list again and again trying to find which little good girl or boy didn't get what they asked for. Once he finds his mistake, he will ship that gift to the Easter Bunny for delivery in the spring! 

Christmas Seat

This sweet Christmas Seat pup from Just Inklined pretty much sums up the way we are feeling at my house the day after Christmas! I hope you have more get-up and go! 

Winner of Caridad Pineiro December Joyathon Giveaway

Congrats to:

Latochia Bell

She's won a copy of HOLIDAY WITH A VAMPIRE from Caridad Pineiro!

Winner has been notified via email. Winner has 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen.

Don't fret my lovelies. There's are more books being given away by fabulous authors. Keep up with the Joyathon here or if you're looking for all the Joyathon posts, go here AND don't forget about the awesome super secret prize. Enter here.

Winner of Tiffany Reisz December Joyathon Giveaway

Congrats to:

Phyllis C

She's won a copy of THE HEART OF CHRISTMAS anthology from Tiffany Reisz

Winner has been notified via email. Winner has 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen.

Don't fret my lovelies. There's are more books being given away by fabulous authors. Keep up with the Joyathon here or if you're looking for all the Joyathon posts, go here AND don't forget about the awesome super secret prize. Enter here.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Wishing you and your's Christmas blessings and much joy!

December Joyathon: Guest Post + Giveaway with Virna DePaul

Meet Virna:

click for an excerpt

coming 2012

I'm a former criminal prosecutor who loves thrilling, sexy stories about ordinary people overcoming extraordinary obstacles to find love. Like contemporary authors Linda Howard, Lori Foster, Rachel Gibson, Lori Wilde, Sandra Brown and paranormal authors J.R. Ward, Larissa Ione, Nalini Singh (and countless others on my keeper shelves), I hope to bring my readers emotional stories that make them feel and dream and wonder well-after they've finished reading them.

Chosen By Sin, Book 3 in the Para-Ops Series, releases in late December 2011. In this series, the U.S. government forms a special ops team whose members, including a werebeast, wraith, mage, and a vampire and the human female he's forbidden to love, must retrieve a stolen antidote.

I also write contemporary romantic suspense for Harlequin Romantic Suspense and HQN.

Where To Find Virna: Author Site | Twitter | Facebook 

Every year, I buy an ornament for each of my children. I try to get an ornament that embodies a special event or milestone for that child’s year. I keep these ornaments in a separate box so when we trim the tree, we can spend a few minutes admiring the ornaments from years past. I love seeing how the ornaments change as my kids mature, and I look forward to being able to carry on this tradition with my grandkids someday!

HAVE YOURSELF A NAUGHTY LITTLE SANTA:

HE KNOWS IF YOU’VE BEEN BAD OR GOOD….
Picture-perfect Evergreen, California, nestled on the shores of Reindeer Lake in the snowy Sierras, is the perfect place for a no-strings holiday fling with a gorgeous Latin lover. Workaholic Kimberly Michaels didn’t come to Evergreen only to enjoy herself, though; she’s there to consummate a development deal in which her company will take over the town — whether the town wants it or not. Ricco Maza, whose sister owns the quaint B & B where Kim is staying, may be the hottest man she’s ever met (and the only one who can persuade her to relax enough for an orgasm!) but if he discovers why Kim is in town, she’ll soon be finding more coal and switches than kisses in her Christmas stocking. And as Kim’s frosty winter nights steam up with her sexy Santa, she realizes she’s going to have to make a choice. Is winning the deal truly the most important thing in life, or will this jaded cynic let Santa finally give her a little taste of Christmas magic?

Where To Buy: Amazon | Kindle | Barnes&Noble/Nook | All Romance

Virna is giving one(1) lucky reader a copy of HAVE YOURSELF A NAUGHTY LITTLE SANTA by Karin Tabke. How to get your hands on this bit of hotness:

• Leave a comment for Virna telling her about your favorite holiday tradition along with your email addy, ninja style: yourname at gmail dot com
• Fill out the rafflecopter form. You must leave a comment for Virna. All other entries are optional.

Easy peasy right?

A huge thank you to Virna for participating in the Joyathon and for giving away a copy of HAVE YOURSELF A NAUGHTY LITTLE SANTA.


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Santa and Santa Dog

I wish I could take credit for this sweet Santa card but I cannot. I saw the tutorial over at The Creative Closet and I had to give it a try. The hardest part of making this card is probably cutting the white Laser Silk Lustre after embossing it. For the base of the card I used Red Crepe Ruche. The leaves were cut from Basic 80# Green cardstock and the holly berries are Red Laser Glossy Lustre. For the face and its elements I used scraps otherwise, all the cardstock is from the PaperTemptress. I hope Santa's face adds a touch of merriness to your holiday!

My Christmas would not be the same without a Golden Retriever or two dashing through the snow, or in our case, rain!!  Santa Dog is from Karen's Doodles. 

And now just let me say, Merry Christmas to all and to all a goodnight!

Winner of Shana Galen December Joyathon Giveaway

Congrats to:

Carey Sturgeon

She's won a copy of LADY SOPHIE'S CHRISTMAS WISH from Shana Galen!

Winner has been notified via email. Winner has 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen.

Don't fret my lovelies. There's are more books being given away by fabulous authors. Keep up with the Joyathon here or if you're looking for all the Joyathon posts, go here AND don't forget about the awesome super secret prize. Enter here.

December Joyathon: Interview+ Giveaway with Joan Swan

Meet Joan:

click for an excerpt

I was never a star English student or a Literature buff, but I've always had a creative soul and an active imagination. Writing was a natural culmination of those two talents.

I write what I like to read: romantic suspense. I write for entertainment and escape--the same reasons I love to read. I prefer real-life language, so you'll find profanity in my work when it fits the character. I prefer open-door sex, so my love scenes are typically hot and steamy. And because my stories involve suspense, you'll often find violence, mystery and an inside look at the intricate world of forensics. Occasionally, I like to dabble in the lighter side of paranormal as well.

A triple RWA Golden Heart finalist as well as a double Daphne Du Maurier finalist, I am a lover of craft and closet-hoarder of writing craft how-to books.

In my day job, I work as a sonographer at UCSF Medical Center, a location with an intensity that makes me slightly insane...which works well with the writer in me. Not to mention all the character material I have access to--and I'm not talking about the patients (well...mostly).

I have been married twenty years to my own personal hero, a veteran firefighter, we have two beautiful daughters and are blessed to live in the heart of wine country on the gorgeous Central Coast of California.

Where To Find Joan: Author Site | Facebook | Twitter | Blog

Kati: Who is Joan during the holidays?
Joan: Joan is a shifter: Wanna-be Martha Stewart to Grinch. (Imagine those tween stages *shiver*)

Every year I make plans to give out handmade gifts to our closest friends and family, to every neighbor, every casual acquaintance, every coworker. I make lists and lists. I buy the ingredients. I start baking. And inevitably, half way through, I peter out, exhausted and frustrated and turn into the Grinch. And I do it year after year after year. My husband has learned to simply shake his head and stand back.

K: What is your favorite thing about the holidays?
J: When they’re over. *cringing* Don’t throw eggs. Anything but eggs. Okay, okay – I love fires…in the hearth, mostly, though a good Christmas tree fire can do a heart good.

K: Do you write more or less during the holidays?
J: Heh. Well, with all that fabulous baking, less, of course.

K: Would you write a holiday themed/titled book in the future?
J: Oh, wow. I so would! I already have the title in mind: Martha Got Run Over By A Reindeer (I like it! A shifter reindeer?)

K: Which of your heroes would you go on a sleigh ride with?
J: Heroes smeroes. I mean, they’re smokin’ hot and all, but hell, if I’m going on a sleigh ride, I’m gathering up all my kick ass heroines, my best author friends and all their kick ass heroines, a liter of Belvedere, some cranberry juice, a fifth of Jack, a case of coke and, well, we won’t need ice with all that snow! It’s going to be one freakin’ good sleigh ride with the girls! (Sorry boys, this is bonding time.)

K: What is your favorite Christmas story, book or movie?
J: Bet you can guess… *Wrong!* I actually loathe The Grinch that Stole Christmas. That green guy gave me nightmares as a kid. I like A Christmas Carol with Ebenezer Scrooge (the ghostly parts, not the sappy parts).

K: Real tree or fake tree?
J: Real, for the feel of it, for the smell of it. Fake? What’s the point?

K: Specific gifts or gift cards?
J: Specific. Exchanging gift cards is like exchanging money. Just keep the cash and go see a movie together instead.

K: Fruit cake or gingerbread?
J: Gingerbread. Fruit cake? I thought that was an urban legend. (Apparently not. Some of your fellow authors  actually like it.)

urban legend indeed!

K: Just enough decorations or “every tree lighted, blow up snowglobe, snow man in the yard” decorations?
J: Every decoration you put up is a decoration you have to take down. Enough said.

K: Home for the holidays or visiting relatives?
J: The sooner you get there, the sooner you can leave…therefore…visiting relatives.

K: Christmas Eve or Christmas Day?
J: Both. Neither. Depends on whose company I’m in.

K: Author’s choice:
J: Do I sound jaded? Have you ever spent Christmas in a tropical location? If yes, what was that like? If no, would you like to?

downbelow.co.uk

Thanks Joan for the laughs.

A VAMPIRE FOR CHRISTMAS:

All they want for Christmas is you…

It's the time of year for twinkling lights on trees and kisses under the mistletoe. Yet the passing of another year means nothing to the stunning immortals who lurk in the shadows of the new-fallen snow.

And they don't care if you've been naughty or nice.

Let four fanged lovers open your eyes to a passion you never dared to imagine. After all, there's no place like home for the holidays—and these dazzling vampires can't wait for an invitation.

Where To Buy: Amazon | Kindle | B&N | Nook | Book Depository | Harlequin
Book Extras: My Review | Read an Excerpt from: Alexis Morgan and Caridad Pineiro

Joan is giving away a copy of A VAMPIRE FOR CHRISTMAS anthology. Here's how to get your hands on a dark brooding fanged hottie:

• Leave a comment for Joan answering her question along with your email addy, ninja style: yourname at gmail dot com.
• Fill out the rafflecopter form below. You must answer Joan's question. All other entries are optional.

Easy peasy right? Don't forget to enter for the awesome super secret prize here.

A huge thank you to Joan for participating in the Joyathon and giving away a copy of A VAMPIRE FOR CHRISTMAS. Also, a huge thank you to Ashley March for forwarding correspondence between Joan and I.