Friday, December 29, 2017

PEEK INTO MY LATEST RELEASE

Imagine you’re a very wealthy, though unhappy, woman who has always had a large staff of servants. Then, one day, your husband kills himself, leaving a note that he’s lost the business founded by your father and his father. The morning after the funeral, a banker comes to the door to announce that he owns the home that had been in your late husband’s family for generations and gives you and your two children six hours to vacate.

This is what happened to Vanessa Worthington. She has only a couple of dollars to her name and no family left. She takes a chance on becoming a mail-order bride to a rancher in Montana. Travis Boyd says he has a large ranch and a snug home. A large ranch equals a large home, right?

No, not this time!




Here’s an excerpt from CAPTURE HER HEART: (Billy is the cowboy teaching her to cook. Sam is a cowboy who brought a warning message from the sheriff.)

Snow increased during the afternoon. After opening one of the shutters, she peered through the center of the window pane—the only part not frosted. Vanessa thought surely all robbers would be holed up somewhere warm. Why had this escaped villain headed their way?
She and Billy got preparations for supper underway but she couldn’t conquer the sense of dread shrouding her. Before Sam’s arrival, she had been confident she’d made the right choice when she came west and married Travis. Knowing her husband would do his best to protect her and the children didn’t put her at ease.
Jack shadowed her. “Mother, who is this man who might be coming?”
“I’m not sure who he is, but I guess he used to live here. Is that right, Billy?”
“Right as rain. ’Em robbers lived on this part of the ranch until the law caught up with ’em and sent ever last one to prison.”
Jack’s face shone with excitement. “Do you suppose they buried their treasure here?”
“No one knows. Most outlaws spend their money on liquor and—”
Vanessa nudged him, hard.
Billy cleared his throat. “On liquor and high livin’ and gamblin’.  Like as not that bunch did the same.”
Jack dropped onto a kitchen chair. “That’s good, so maybe this mean man won’t come here after all.”
Vanessa smiled at her son, hoping her effort didn’t come off as a grimace. “That’s right, son, so stop worrying.”
“Papa won’t let us get hurt. He’ll protect us.”
What a hero her son had already made of Travis. She knew her husband would try, but she was too wise to put all her hopes on any man—even one as nice as Travis appeared to be.
“He’ll do his best to insure nothing bad ever happens to you. Now, please go check on your sister and see if she’s finished her nap.”
Satisfied his future was safe, Jack skipped toward the bedroom.
Billy shut the oven door. “Remember what you told Jack. Travis nor Paco nor me will let anythin’ happen to you or the children. You can take that to the bank.”
“Thank you, Billy, but I’m conscious of that fact. I don’t want any of us put in jeopardy. I’m well aware how chivalrous the three of you are. I’m also fond of each of you and I don’t want anything bad to happen to you.”
“Aint’ nothin’ goin’ to happen to nobody if we have anythin’ to say about it.”
She swept the kitchen more for something to do than because the floor was dirty. Keeping her hands busy with a simple task gave her a chance to think. She wondered if the cellar would be a safe place for the children if there were gunfire.
Billy’s voice interrupted her reverie. “You sweep any harder, won’t be anythin’ left of the broom or the floor.”

CAPTURE HER HEART is available from Amazon:  http://a.co/ceaSOxl for $1.99



Thanks for checking this blog, for following me on Facebook and Twitter and Pinterest and Google+, and for buying and reading my books. 
See you in 2018!

Wednesday, December 27, 2017

TAKING STOCK

At the end of the year, many of us review to see where we can improve for the coming year. I confess 2017 was a difficult year for my family--illness, passing of friends and family, unexpected repairs, etc. Those are things beyond our control so no point in worrying about them.


Thinking back over
the year


I'm examining the things over which I do have control. Productivity. In 2016, I published eleven novellas. In 2017, I only published seven. To me, this says I need seat in chair, fingers on the keyboard.




The thing that kills me is social media. Does it change by the hour? To me it seems that's what happens. I'm on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instant Messaging. How many more  of these do I need?  Seems I'm juggling too many now.

Organization is another area in which I need to improve. A lot. Can I reprogram my brain so that I'm more efficient with my time? Surely I can.

One surprising thing that helped me is getting a larger monitor for my PC. My friend and fellow author Jacquie Rogers and her husband Mark visited in October. Jacquie has a large television as her monitor. Mark and Hero talked and now I have our former bedroom television as my monitor. I'm surprised at how much this has helped me focus.

Probably we're all taking stock of the past year and looking forward to next year. Can we do better next year? You bet we can!


Tuesday, December 26, 2017

SANTA'S HOLIDAY


I hope you each had a wonderful Christmas or Hannukah or Kwanza or Winter Solstice--whatever you celebrate.

My family celebrated Christmas with too many cookies, too much divinity, and lots of chips and cheese dip. We had a wonderful time visiting with one another and watching Christmas movies. I look forward to many more Christmases like that one.



In the meantime, Santa and Mrs. Claus are thoroughly pooped. Santa is reading one of the books he received from Mrs. Claus. Mrs. Claus is reading one of the books she downloaded on her Kindle this month. Our family always gives one another books as well as other items. Isn't it fortunate that each of us loves to read?



I hope you have a chance to relax and recover from the holiday and hope you choose to read one of my books while you do. I'll be back on Wednesday with a new post.


Sunday, December 24, 2017

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE WINNERS!



Thank you to all who commented during my "Christmas Past and Christmas Presents" event. I hope you found new authors to read and learned more about those whose books you've read and enjoyed. (I also hope my books are among your favorites! ☺)

Now, the winners:

3rd Place winner of a $15 Amazon gift card is Mary Preston

2nd Place winner of a $20 Amazon gift card is Sharon Guagliardo

Winner of the Grand Prize of a Kindle Fire 7 is
Carnelo

Carnelo, please message or email me with your mailing address and full name.

Congratulations, ladies. 

Merry Christmas to everyone!


Saturday, December 23, 2017

SKYPE MAKES OURS A FAMILY CHRISTMAS

Please welcome Judy Ann Davis, award winning author and member of the Smart Girls Read Romance blog as well as her own blog. Please remember to comment to be entered in the giveaway for a Kindle Fire 7 tomorrow. 

What is your favorite childhood Christmas memory?

When I was in grade school, our family used to scour our dairy farm for the perfect pine tree to decorate for Christmas. It was unheard of to purchase to one with pine forests on the land. My mother had the most beautiful, cardboard star reflectors with mirrors on each point that surrounded each lighted bulb on the tree. Even the scrawniest tree looked perfect.


Search for the perfect
tree was a tradition



What is your favorite adult Christmas memory?

When my son was deployed in the Mid-East, we postponed Christmas and celebrated later in the next year. As part of a four-generation military family, you realize it’s not the presents that count, but the people.

Is there a Christmas song that’s your favorite?

I have always liked “Silver Bells” since childhood, and I love “Mary Did You Know.”

Tell us about your family’s Christmas traditions.

On Christmas Eve, my husband and I attend church in New Smyrna Beach, Florida. With a son and daughter-in-law in Alaska and another son and daughter-in-law in Texas, we open presents via Skype close to midnight, allowing for a four-hour time difference. The six of us (and perhaps seven of us with a surprise baby) are on Skype for a loooong time each December.

Taken at New Smyrna Beach, Florida



What about Christmas do you most enjoy?

I have to admit that it’s the Christmas songs that keep me in the holiday mood. I have continuous Christmas music playing throughout the house after Thanksgiving. I also set out little lighted ceramic and artificial trees around the house.


Judy's lighted ceramic decorations



Is there something about this holiday that drives you crazy?

I dislike the commercial attitude of having to start displaying Christmas products before Halloween.

What do you hope for this Christmas?

I’m hoping for a very healthy, happy first grandson and first grandchild who’s due on December 21 up in snowy Alaska.  Fingers crossed, he’s not late.

Do you have a treasured Christmas food? If so, would you care to share the recipe?  

Below is a family favorite.


Sugar cookies are always a favorite


DELUXE SUGAR COOKIES

1 cup butter
1 ½ cups confectioners’ sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla (clear)
½ teaspoon almond extract
2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon soda
1 teaspoon cream of tartar
Granulated sugar for decorating

Heat oven to 375 degrees.  Mix thoroughly butter, confectioners’ sugar, egg, vanilla, and almond extract. Blend in flour, soda and cream of tartar. Cover and chill 2 to 3 hours.

Divide dough in half. Roll each ball 3/16 inch thick on lightly floured board. Cut into desire shapes, sprinkle with colored granulated sugar. Place on lightly greased baking sheet. Bake 7 to 8 minutes or until light brown on edge.

NOTE: Because these are a more delicate crisp cookie, sometimes the designs of intricate shapes do not bake with clear lines. Trees, wreaths, simple shapes work best.  Yield: About 5 dozen cookies.

Do you have a book you’d like to share?

Sorry, I do not have a Christmas book, but I had a new May release, a humorous romantic suspense with a touch of ghostly intervention entitled, FOUR WHITE ROSES.






Here’s a link to my Amazon Author’s Page of all my books:  https://www.amazon.com/Judy-Ann-Davis/e/B006GXN502/



Judy Ann Davis, Author


Judy Ann Davis has wanted to be a writer since she was a child. She was born and raised on a dairy form in northeastern Pennsylvania. Judy began her career in writing as a copy and continuity writer for radio and television in Scranton, PA. Throughout her career, she has written for both industry and education.

Many of her short stories have appeared in various literary and small magazines and anthologies and have received numerous awards. Nineteen of them are now collected in UP ON THE ROOF AND OTHER STORIES. Her novel UNDER STARRY SKIES features the Ashmore family and many of the same characters as in RED FOX WOMAN, her first novel, which was a finalist in the International Book Awards and USA Book News Best Book Awards. KEY TO LOVE, her second novel published by The Wild Rose Press, is a contemporary romantic suspense. SWEET KISS offers comedy with a hint of mystery. FOUR WHITE ROSES is her latest release.

When Judy Ann isn't behind a computer, you can find her looking for anything humorous to make her laugh or swinging a golf club, where the chuckles are few. She is  member of Pennwriters, Inc. and of Romance Writers of America and lives with her husband in Clearfield, PA.

Website: www.judyanndavis. com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/judyann.lashinskidavis

Twitter: @judyanndavis4



Merry Christmas!

Friday, December 22, 2017

MAKING WISHES COME TRUE

Please welcome my long-time friend, Carra Copelin, who lives only about twenty minutes from me. Remember to leave a comment to be entered into the drawing for a Kindle Fire 7 on Christmas Eve!

What is your favorite childhood Christmas memory?

There are several that stand out through the years, but one I remember snips and snatches of is the Christmas I was five years old. I had asked Santa for a buggy to push my babies around in. When we walked into the living room, the buggy was front and center of the tree. I was so excited to get it, and promptly went to get my favorite doll, Janie, to take her for a spin. Obviously, I don’t remember the details, I was five, but my mother liked to relive the story. She said, she and my dad knew if I saw the doll Santa had brought, I wouldn’t see anything else. So, she hid the doll behind the tree. She felt so bad at hiding the new doll, that was the last time she hid anything from either me or my brother.

What is your favorite adult Christmas memory?

One of my favorites is, I believe 2012, and the year it snowed a couple of inches. Our son and our grandson spent that Christmas with us. We dug out an old antique sled, had a huge Santa delivery, and just the best time!

Grandpa snapping photo of grandson pulled by son.


Is there a Christmas song that’s your favorite?

A.      Secular – "Santa Baby"
B.       Religious – "Hark the Herald Angels Sing"

Tell us about your family’s Christmas traditions.

We set up the Christmas tree onto a train board, where we have two Lionel trains on the track running around a Texas town circa 1955. The farm house and fence were made by my husband’s great-grandfather around 1920, and other items we’ve picked up through the years.

Christmas train and tree



What about Christmas do you most enjoy?

Being with family, making some wishes come true, the magic of the season, and singing the beautiful songs.

Is there something about this holiday that drives you crazy?

The commercialism.

What do you hope for this Christmas?

This Christmas, I hope for more love and peace in our world, and a joyous time together with our family.

Do you have a treasured Christmas food? If so, would you care to share the recipe?

I have several, but one we love, I just posted in my newsletter, Cheesy Enchiladas.



CHEESY ENCHILADAS
INGREDIENTS
•         Enchilada Sauce
•         6 cups shredded sharp cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese
•         1 cup vegetable oil
•         24 (6-inch) corn tortillas
•         1 cup finely chopped white onion (about 1/2 medium onion)

INSTRUCTIONS
1.       Heat the oven to 350°F and arrange a rack in the middle. Evenly coat the bottom of two 13-by-9-inch baking dishes with 1 cup of the sauce in each. Place the cheeses in a large bowl, and line a baking sheet with paper towels; set aside.
2.       Heat the oil in a large frying pan over medium-high heat until hot but not smoking, about 5 minutes. Test the oil temperature by carefully dipping the edge of a tortilla in the oil—it should bubble vigorously. Once the oil is hot, use a metal spatula to carefully submerge the tortillas one at a time until bubbles form around each, about 5 to 10 seconds. Flip and fry an additional 5 seconds or until the edges of each tortilla are slightly crisp but not browned. Transfer to the prepared baking sheet and arrange in a single layer. Repeat with the remaining tortillas, separating the layers with paper towels.
3.       Blot the tortillas with paper towels to soak up any excess oil, then fill each with 2 heaping tablespoons of the shredded cheese and 2 teaspoons onion. Roll to enclose the filling and set the tortillas in the baking dishes, seam side down, placing 12 enchiladas in each dish. Evenly distribute the remaining 1 cup sauce over both baking dishes and top with the remaining cheese.
4.       Bake until the enchiladas are hot and bubbly, about 25 to 30 minutes. Let cool about 10 minutes before serving.

Do you have a Christmas book you’d like to share?

Yes, I have a new Christmas short story out this season. A FAMILY FOR CHRISTMAS is set in San Antonio on and around the River Walk. It’s beautiful, and a bit magical with all the lights and decorations.



Blurb:
Tony Medina, star quarterback for a Texas NFL team, is on the brink of making a career changing, life altering decision. It just might take a miracle to get him back in his wife’s good graces and their house.
Karla Masters is a popular morning TV show host in San Antonio. Her personal life however, is lacking on all fronts. After she becomes a foster parent, there’s only one more item needed to bring them all together. If Christmas is the time for wishes and miracles, is there one left for her?




Carra Copelin, Author

Carra Copelin is an award winning and Amazon Best Selling Author in contemporary and historical romances but, unlike so many other authors, didn't write from childhood or read long into the night beneath the covers with a flashlight. She found romance novels as an adult. After reading about a million, she discovered numerous people residing in her head, all looking for a way onto the printed page.

She's a member of Romance Writers of America and Past President of Yellow Rose Romance Writers, plus she regularly contributes to the romance blog, Smart Girls Read Romance. She is a member of The Daughters of the American Revolution and The Daughters of the Republic of Texas.

Carra and her hero live in North Central Texas, in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex where they enjoy family and their three beautiful grandchildren. In addition to writing and researching with her fabulous critique partners, she enjoys playing Bridge, working on crochet projects, and tracking down relatives through genealogy.    



Merry Christmas





Thursday, December 21, 2017

CHRISTMAS WITH LOVED ONES HOME!

Welcome Harlequin Kimani author, Carolyn Hector, a member of the blog Smart Girls Read Romance (smart guys do, too). Remember to leave a comment to be entered in the Kindle Fire 7 Giveaway on Christmas Eve!  

What is your favorite childhood Christmas memory?

Living in NYC. We lived on the 7th floor.

What is your favorite adult Christmas memory?

My favorite Christmas memory is sort of a Gift of the Magi story. My husband and I are big 80s fans. This was probably about 20 years ago. I finally found a DVR copy of the classic breakdancing movie,
Breakin'. I rushed home to meet the mailman and while I was waiting, my husband came home. We were both shocked to see each other. It turns out he had a blank VCR tape and he'd come home after searching the TVGuide (paper copy now...this is how old we are) and found out that Breakin' was coming on television and was coming home to record it and surprise me at Christmas.

Is there a Christmas son that's your favorite?

A. Secular -- I have two--1. "Winter Wonderland" and 2. "Baby It's Cold Outside"-pretty much any version. Sure, it sounds like the stalker song... but I just love it! I have a book (not yet published) with the title.

B. Religious "O' Holy Night" by Clay Aiken

Tell us about your family's Christmas traditions.

Despite our children being teenagers, my husband enjoys waiting to wrap the presents. So, what we do is go out on Christmas Eve, pick up some hot salty fries from McDonald's and then we drive from neighborhood to neighborhood looking at all the lights. We stay out as late as possible.

What about Christmas do you most enjoy?

There's something about the act of giving. I personally think I am the gift-whisperer. I love searching year 'round for the ultimate gift for a person. I love the look of surprise when a recipient feels touched.

Is there something about this holiday that drives you crazy?

It drives me nuts to see parents practically going broke to buy their kids EVERYTHING they want for Christmas.

What do you hope for this Christmas?

With my oldest child 21, I suspect any day now she's going to want to move out. I want just a few more Christmases with her in my home rather than coming to visit.

Do you have a treasured Christmas food? If so, would you care to share the recipe?

We've made it a tradition to try one new thing each holiday season. This year, I'm going to (1) not eat all the doughnuts! I plan on saving the last few (because I can never throw away the last doughnut) from here until Christmas Eve-Day and (2) not waste any doughnuts by reviving them with the following recipe. Just, as you go along snagging doughnuts here and there (office parties, y'all, not random places) and place them in the freezer in a storage bag.

Doughnut Bread Pudding 

1 dozen stale Krispy Kreme glazed doughnuts (any glazed doughnuts will do)'
3 eggs, lightly beaten
1 cup whole milk 
1 1/4 cups heavy cream
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
pinch of nutmeg

Chocolate Sauce
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
2/3 cup heavy cream

Instructions:
Cut each doughnut into 5 or 6 pieces and place in a greased 9x13-inch or slightly smaller baking dish.
In a medium bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, heavy cream, brown sugar, salt, vanilla extract and nutmeg.
Pour over doughnuts. Press doughnuts into liquid to moisten. Let sit 10 minutes.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F
Place uncovered baking dish in oven and bake for 45 minutes.
To make sauce, place chocolate chips in a small bowl. Bring heavy cream to a boil in a small saucepan. Pour over chocolate chips in a small bowl. Bring heavy cream to a boil in a small saucepan. Pour over chocolate chips. Let sit 15 seconds. Stir until smooth.
Serve bread pudding warm.


9Do you have a Christmas book you’d like to share?






The ultimate prize this Christmas...

Former beauty queen Waverly Lavere can barely show her face in public after an embarrassing meme goes viral. But now fate and a misdelivered pizza have brought her dreams back to life. Gorgeous bad boy turned business mogul Dominic Crowne wants to sponsor Waverly in a pageant scheduled for Christmas Eve. Waverly vows to keep their arrangement purely professional--but soon their arrangement quickly takes a sensual turn...

Dominic knows that his golden touch can fix almost anything--including Waverly's tilted tiara. Against his own will, Dominic is mesmerized with his stunning new client. He's falling for the pageant princess and the vulnerable yet sexy woman within. But when Waverly's ultimate goal finally comes within reach, can he help her achieve professional redemption and find his Princess Charming under the mistletoe?






Having your story read out loud as a teen by your brother in Julia Child's voice might scare some folks from ever sharing their work. Carolyn Hector rose above her fear. She currently resides in Tallahassee, Florida where there is never a dull moment of school functions, politics, football, southern charm and sizzling heat to help fuel her knack for putting a romantic spin on everything she comes across.




Wednesday, December 20, 2017

STRENGTH AND COMFORT!

Please welcome Susan Sheehey. By now you know to leave a comment to be entered in the drawing for a Kindle Fire 7 on Christmas Eve.

What is your favorite childhood Christmas memory?

I have a very large extended family, with more than a dozen cousins, and we would all converge every other year to my grandparent’s house in Ohio. With everyone gathered, all the presents for every grandchild tucked under the tree for Christmas morning was like a mountain. The picture was so glorious, so beautiful, and was the epitome of a child’s holiday fantasy.

Some of the cousins


What is your favorite adult Christmas memory?

We took our boys to Disney World a few years ago just before the Christmas holiday, where our then 6-year-old met Buzz Lightyear for the first time (after having watched the Toy Story movies a thousand times, Buzz was his favorite character). That moment where he met him, and the look on his face--worth every penny of the trip, and more. True happiness you can’t possibly explain.

Meeting Buzz Lightyear at Disney World



Is there a Christmas song that’s your favorite?

Still, Still, Still and Carol of the Bells

Is there something about this holiday that drives you crazy?

The decorations and present shopping starts well before October, before Halloween and Thanksgiving are properly celebrated. I don’t like how commercial retailers make of the season, obscuring the true meaning behind Christmas.


Susan's boys with Santa in 2014


What do you hope for this Christmas?

Honestly, with the sudden loss of my father a month ago, I’m hoping for peace of mind and strength this holiday season. Not to break down in a puddle of tears in front of my boys. To remind them how much my father loved them, and reassure them he’s looking down on all of us, and hope they can feel his embrace… And to comfort my mother during this extremely hard time.


Do you have a book you'd like to tell us about today?

My latest release is the Knights of Texas series, a steamy contemporary romance set of novellas featuring a luxury male escort agency. TELL ME WHAT YOU WANT and TELL ME WHAT YOU CRAVE are available now.  TELL ME WHAT YOU NEED will be released very soon.




Is there a recipe you want to share?

You might like this one for Christmas morning.


Cheesy Hash Brown Breakfast Bites


Ingredients
24 tator tots thawed
3 large eggs
4 egg whites
1/2 cup whipping cream
1 teaspoon parsley
1/8 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
3/4 cup fresh shredded mozzarella cheese
3/4 cup fresh shredded cheddar cheese
2 slices crisp bacon diced
2 thin slices lean ham diced


Instructions
1.Grease 12 count standard size muffin pan with nonstick cooking spray or canola oil spray. Smoosh two tator tots in each muffin hole. Bake in 375 degree preheated oven for 7 minutes.
2.Mix eggs, egg whites, whipping cream, parsley and black pepper in medium size bowl with whisk. Fold in mozzarella, cheddar, ham and bacon. Ladle the mixture into the muffin holes leaving a little room at the top for rising.
3.Bake in a 375 degree preheated oven for 20 minutes.


Christmas morning



Susan Sheehey, Author and Editor



Susan Sheehey is the author of contemporary romance and romantic suspense novels. Her latest is the Knights of Texas series. Her romantic suspense trilogy, Royals of Soldana, has finally been completely released, PRINCE OF SOLDANA, JEWEL OF SOLDANA, and CROWN OF SOLDANA. Her debut novel, AUDREY'S PROMISE, is a contemporary romance set in Texas.

In addition to writing, Susan is a freelance editor and proofreader, and loves to beta read for indie authors.

Susan loves to read romances (shocking!), including both contemporary and historical, with a particular affinity for American, Scottish, and Irish historicals. A french vanilla coffee addict, Susan lives and laughs in Texas with her husband and two sons.

Twitter: @SusieQWriter
Instagram: @SusieQWriter







Tuesday, December 19, 2017

SPENDING TIME WITH FAMILY

Please welcome Lynn Winchester, and author and editor I met through our work in Montana Skies Kindle World. Lynn has the most gorgeous book covers. 

Remember to comment to be eligible for the Kindle Fire 7 giveaway on December 24.

What is your favorite childhood Christmas memory?

I loved waking up in the morning and tearing into the presents. As a single mom, my mother couldn’t afford too many gifts, but what we did get, we loved. 

What is your favorite adult Christmas memory?

I love watching my children open their gifts; the squeals of delight, the gasps of surprise, and the “thank you, Mom” will always make me smile.

Is there a Christmas song that’s your favorite?

A.   Secular – Any Christmas song sung by Michael Buble
B.   Religious – O’ Holy Night

Tell us about your family’s Christmas traditions.

Every Christmas morning, we have the in-laws over for a breakfast of homemade quiche. After breakfast is consumed, we open the gifts, one at a time. We take turns watching each other open our presents. Once presents are opened, we clean up the wrapping paper shrapnel, and enjoy the rest of the morning. Around lunch time, we head to my in-law’s house where we prepare Christmas supper, then eat it! We spend ALL day together, and I love that.

What about Christmas do you most enjoy?

Spending time with my family.

Is there something about this holiday that drives you crazy?

The commercialism.

What do you hope for this Christmas?

My husband is on-call for his job. I hope that he doesn’t get called out, I would hate for him to miss the day with his family.

Do you have a treasured Christmas food? Would you share the recipe?


Campbell's green bean casserole



I REALLY love green bean casserole! I use the Campbell’s recipe from the mushroom soup can, LOL.

Do you have a book you’d like to share?

My latest is HEARTSONG, one of the Montana Skies Series for Kindle World.





​HEARTSONG Synopsis:

After years of living in her vibrant twin sister’s shadow, shy and awkward Henrietta ‘Rhetta’ Hanlon is ready to spread her wings, and that means heading north to Morgan’s Crossing, Montana. Maybe she'll be able to be herself in the wide open spaces...

The child of a Lakota woman and an American Army Colonial, Mahkah 'Mac' Solomon is caught between two worlds, seeking a place of his own, a place where he can find that one thing his heart is missing. Working at the Wheeler Hills ranch, his heart yearns for something more, and he finds it when lovely, sweet Rhetta comes to visit.

Unused to any man’s attention, Rhetta can’t seem to shake her growing interest in the handsome, brooding ranch foreman. His rare smiles light her afire, and his gentle touch makes her soul sing. But is it her he's really interested in, or the woman who looks like her? 

Though wary of her own feelings, when her sister is kidnapped, Rhetta must depend on Mac to help save her sister’s life. When these two burdened spirits are thrown together, will they find love under the big blue sky or will they allow their fears to silence the song of their hearts?







Lynn Winchester, Author


Lynn Winchester is the pseudonym of a hardworking California-born conservative, now living in the wilds of Northeast Pennsylvania. Lynn has been writing fiction since the 5th grade, and enjoys creating worlds, characters, and stories for her readers.

Lynn writes charming, romantic romance that focuses on the growth of the relationship and the power of true love. Lynn's historical western Dry Bayou Brides series is a highly acclaimed, bestselling sweet romance series. Keep an eye out for her upcoming releases.

When Lynn isn't writing, she is running a successful editing business, reading whatever she can get her hands on, raising her four children, making sure her husband is happy, and binge watching shows on Netflix.




Monday, December 18, 2017

ONLY WONDERFUL HOLIDAYS

Please welcome USA Today and NYTimes bestselling author, Dr. Debra Holland.  Remember to leave a comment to be eligible for the Kindle Fire 7 Giveaway on Christmas Eve!

What is your favorite childhood Christmas memory?

It’s hard to pick just one because I’ve only had wonderful holidays. But I’ll say that it’s a Christmas Eve at my grandparents when I was five or six. My grandfather had made me a dollhouse, which I still have, and Santa came to the door and handed out presents.

Another was the first year my cousin Mindy was a baby. We had adopted her and had been waiting a long time for her arrival—at least so it seemed to my eight-year-old self. She was four months old and wearing a green velvet dress with a bow on her head. My grandfather was holding her and looking so happy. It was his last Christmas.

What is your favorite adult Christmas memory?

I have the same “problem” with picking one because they’re all good. I’m very blessed to have a wonderful family.

There was one Christmas when I’d been doing a lot of work as a grief counselor with people who were dealing with the loss of a loved one during the holidays. So that Christmas, I took a few minutes in the midst of all the chaos and just sat and felt the presence of all my loved ones. I thought about how the family would change in the future as we lost people and gained them, and how someday, I’d be an old lady missing many of my family who’d passed on. I never wanted to be the person who said I didn’t appreciate what I had when I had it. So I deeply felt and appreciated my loved ones and my blessings for a few minutes. I’ve tried to do that little ritual at every holiday ever since.

I’m so glad I have taken those moments of gratitude. Three people have died since that time—my grandmother, father, and a young cousin, and a cousin-in-law is gone from divorce. But my nieces and several cousins have been born and my older cousins have married. Another baby is on the way. The love continues, and my memories are good.

Is there a Christmas song that’s your favorite?

“Oh, Holy Night”—especially the version by Josh Groban, “Mary, Did You Know”—Clay Aikin’s version, and
“Hallelujah”, Pentatonix’s version

Do you have a Christmas book to share?

I have three, which are available with all my other books at my Amazon Author Page:






Tell us about your latest release.

SINGING MONTANA SKY is book 7 of a 10-book series. SINGING MONTANA SKY Summary:

Beautiful, wealthy, and sophisticated, opera star Sophia Maxwell is living the life of her dreams. As the Songbird of Chicago, she's lauded for her pure, rich voice and has a constant circle of admirers vying for her jaded attention. Then, she loses her voice during a performance. Her doctor warns her to rest her larynx or she'll never sing again. Devastated, Sophia retreats to the frontier town of Sweetwater Springs to stay with her sister. She's determined to recover and once again take the stage by storm.

An injury to logger Kael Kelley forces him to return to his parents' home outside of Sweetwater Springs until he can heal enough to return to the logging camp he manages. He's impatient to recover and concerned about his men, who've been left to work under the incompetent overseer who was responsible for his accident.

When Sophia and Kael meet, they have an immediate attraction. The handsome logger is as different from Sophia's sophisticated suitors as can be. She decides a summer flirtation is the perfect way to enliven her boring convalescence.

Then, the unthinkable happens, and the Songbird of Chicago falls in love.






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BRIGHT MONTANA SKY will be released March 1, 2018. MONTANA SKY JUSTICE will be released August 16, 2018. You can pre-order each of those now.




 
Debra Holland, PhD, Author