December Joyathon: Guest Post + Giveaway with Karen Erickson

Meet Karen:

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I’ve always loved the written word. From being one of the best readers in my kindergarten class to penning romantic stories that never ended about my favorite band members (Duran Duran!) in high school, I always had a feeling I wanted to write. It just took me a while to seriously pursue it.

coming 2012

With the birth of my third child came a realization – it’s one thing to talk about writing a book, another thing entirely to actually do it. So I decided to go for it and in 2005 I began my pursuit in writing toward publication. After completing a few clunkers that should never see the light of day, my first erotic romance novella was published with Cobblestone Press in 2006. I’ve since been published with a handful of other epublishers including Ellora’s Cave and Samhain Publishing. I have recently sold to Loose Id and Carina Press.
On a personal note I’m a native Californian who lives in the foothills below Yosemite with my husband and three children. Oh and the dog, the cats, the rooster and the chickens…

Where To Find Karen: Author Site | Facebook | Twitter | Blog | Smutketeers

First, I want to say a big thank you to Kati for having me here on the Romancing Rakes blog and to be a part of the December Joyathon. What a great lineup of authors—I feel privileged to be a part of it.

Now, I’m going to share with you my five must read holiday books. I could go the traditional route and talk about the wonderful classics out there (A Christmas Carol or How the Grinch Stole Christmas, anyone?). But I’m not. I’m going to talk about my five favorite sexy holiday-themed romances.

One problem: I can only choose five. (Sorry Karen!) This is tough! But I think I can do it. *wink*

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click for buy options

1. Must Love Mistletoe by Christie Ridgway (Holy craps people, you can find this book online for only $2.99 on Kindle and Nook! And trust me, it’s worth far more)! What a delicious book. Bailey hates Christmas yet works at her family’s Christmas-themed store. Sexy former boyfriend Finn is back and though he claims he wants nothing to do with Bailey, soon they’re steaming up the sheets and trying to find true love amongst the holiday chaos. LOVE this book! I read it long ago when it first came out (2006) and it’s a keeper. The accompanying title, Not Another New Year’s, is also a good one (again, $2.99).

2. Twelve Days (Sugar & Spice anthology) by Shirley Jump. There’s not even any S-E-X in this cute little novella but lots of delicious tension. Secret Santas, sexy banter, realistic office interaction (the silly politics, the friends, the flirting and don’t forget the idiot rotten boss) and sweet Christmas flavor laced throughout make this a satisfying little read.

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click for buy options

3. Gabriel’s Angel by Nora Roberts. A pregnant heroine on the run and a reclusive, emotionally damaged hero stuck together in a snowstorm? Just about every trope I love and come on, it’s Nora! You can’t go wrong.

4. Finding Mister Right (To All a Good Night anthology) by Jill Shalvis. I’m a hardcore Jill Shalvis fan and I adore every single one of her Christmas novellas she writes. In fact, she has a gob of them and it was soooo hard to pick only one! Featuring a slightly nerdy chemist heroine and a sexy contractor hero, these two really know how to heat up on a cold winter’s night…

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5. Kissing Santa Claus (Small Town Christmas anthology) by Jill Shalvis. Fine. I cheated and chose another Jill novella. But I can’t help it! She writes the best Christmas stories EVER. And this one doesn’t disappoint, especially if you’re a fan of her Lucky Harbor series! Jill also happens to write the best heroes ever and Logan doesn’t disappoint.

Wow. Every single one of the Christmas romances I recommended are contemporaries. Funny considering my Christmas-themed historical novella Her Christmas Pleasure came out late last month at Carina Press. Not only do I love reading holiday-themed stories, I also enjoy writing them. And I’m giving away a digital copy of Her Christmas Pleasure to one lucky commenter!

HER CHRISTMAS PLEASURE:

Damien Morton is madly in love. Unfortunately, it's with his best friend's widow, Lady Danver. Damien is not worthy of Celia. Or so he thinks. Desperate to escape his feelings for her, he plans to leave the country at the first of the year. Celia treats him as a family friend and nothing more—until they share a heated kiss beneath the mistletoe...

Celia is shocked by the passions that surge within her at her dear friend's kiss. One touch and one taste aren't enough to satisfy her cravings, and she is startled into action. Damien has
stirred something inside her that she never expected to experience again, and she must have more. Full of shameless desire and emotions newly discovered, she decides to pursue Damien and won't be deterred. Will she be able to convince him to stay—both in her heart and life—forever?

Where To Buy: Kindle | Nook | Carina
Book Extras: Read an Excerpt | My Review

Well, you heard the lady! Karen's giving away a digital copy of HER CHRISTMAS PLEASURE to one(1) lucky reader. Here's how to enter:

• Leave a comment for Karen along with your email addy, ninja style: yourname at gmail dot com.
• Fill out the rafflecopter form below. Let Karen know what holiday/Christmas themed books are on YOUR must read list. 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 Karen for participating in the Joyathon and for giving away a copy of HER CHRISTMAS PLEASURE.