Category: blogging

Christmas Countdown 2018 Day #17

Christmas Countdown 2018 Day #17

Posted on by Cindy

 

Jennifer lives in Arizona where she writes escapist fiction she calls “Cotton Candy for the Soul.”

 

 

He needs this job to honor his late wife.
 She needs to complete her late fiancé’s bucket list to be free.
Former action-movie star Chet has counted the days since he lost his wife last New Year’s Eve almost a year ago. When he’s given a shot at starring in a reboot of her favorite TV show, he jumps at it. But there’s a catch: the producers won’t hire him unless he can prove he’s regained emotional stability—by bringing a steady girlfriend to his five auditions.
Which means: five mandatory dates for this bereft widower.
Social worker Holly lost her fiancé to war. With his good life snuffed out too soon, she feels compelled to finish his bucket list of unselfish deeds. But four years later, several remain, and they’re ridiculously impossible. Until she accomplishes her soldier’s dreams, she can’t even consider moving on with her life.
When they meet on the beach at Getaway Bay, what she doesn’t know is homeless-looking mourner Chet is actually Colt Winchester, screen star and fashion icon. What he doesn’t know is that he’s a means to an end.
When their walls start to crumble on their Christmas season dates, can these two find love again, or will they forever be chasing ghosts?”

 

Snippet:
The sun dipped behind the horizon, and purple twilight replaced the sunset’s glare.
Holly extended her hand, still confused—until the first stranger lifted his sunglasses. Those green eyes gazed at her.
Chet?
This guy, with the cleaned-up clothes and the nicely trimmed beard—and still those eyes—was the guy from the beach? Holly’s date? His eyes held her captive a moment, their verdant color infusing her.
Ho, ho, ho, merry Christmas to me.

 

“Hi, I’m Holly.” She took the slick guy’s hand, tearing her gaze away from Chet’s green eyes.
 

 


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Cover Reveal/ The Boyfriend Whisperer 2.0

Cover Reveal/ The Boyfriend Whisperer 2.0

Posted on by Cindy

 

Welcome to the Cover Reveal for

The Boyfriend Whisperer 2.0
by Linda Budzinski

presented by Swoon Romance!

Be on the lookout for this upcoming title, and be sure to enter the giveaway at the end of the post!

 

What do you think of the cover?

 

 

Alicea Springer was Boyfriend Whisperer Enterprises’ top success story. That is, until her dream date, Ty Walker, dumped her a week before prom. Now it’s senior year, and Alicea has taken over the business and given it an upgrade with an automated matchmaking program she designed and nicknamed Libby, short for LIBACA, which is short for “Love is But a Click Away.”

Alicea has no interest in using the program herself. She already knows who her perfect match is … Ty. She doesn’t need an app to tell her that (or worse, match her up with someone else). In a moment of weakness, Alicea allows her friends to convince her to give Libby a try. To her horror, it matches her with the last boy on earth she’d ever want to date–Darius Groves, the class deadbeat.

When she and Darius are paired up for a class project, Alicia learns there’s more to him than his bad reputation. But the more she spends time with Darius, the more she questions their match. They have so little in common. Can Alicea defy the odds and make a match of her own heart’s desire? Or will the matchmaker remain unmatched?

The Boyfriend Whisperer 2.0 by Linda Budzinski
Publication Date: February 19, 2019
Publisher: Swoon Romance

Available for Pre-order:
Amazon

 

 

Linda Acorn Budzinski decided in the second grade that she wanted to be a “Paperback Writer,” just like in the Beatles song. She majored in journalism in college and now works in marketing and communications. She spent 18 years at a trade association in the funeral service industry, where she discovered that funeral directors are some of the bravest and most compassionate people on earth. Linda lives in Northern Virginia with her husband, Joe, and their chihuahua, Demitria. She has two step-daughters, Eris and Sarah. THE FUNERAL SINGER is her debut novel. She is represented by Andrea Somberg of Harvey Klinger Inc.

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Goodreads

 

 

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Christmas Countdown 2018 Day #16

Christmas Countdown 2018 Day #16

Posted on by Cindy

 

R. William (Bill) Bennett is the author of Jacob T. Marley, The Christmas Gift, and a new Christmas novel being published by a major publisher for Christmas, 2019
 

 ~ Website ~
“Marley was dead to begin with . . . “
 
These chillingly familiar words begin the classic Christmas tale of remorse and redemption in A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. 
 
 
But, what about Jacob Marley?  And why hadn’t he been given the same final chance of redemption as Ebenezer Scrooge?
 
 

 

Or had he?
 
 
 
 
 

 

Snippet:
–Regarding when Marley began his
journey to become the wicked old man.  A teacher had just complimented him
on his arithmetic skills: 
 
“Young Marley,” said the schoolteacher, apparently not having felt he had achieved the
desired effect with his compliment, “you are, without a doubt, the single best
mathematician I have ever taught.” Of those thirteen words, there was one that
held Jacob’s attention. He knew them all and had used the sum of them in
sentences for many years. But it was the particular arrangement of the
thirteen, specifically in the way this one word would betray the other twelve.
The word was best. Marley had been no stranger to compliments, having been a
boy of greater than average character. He had shown virtues in many areas,
which is not to say he did not suffer at times the foibles of youth. Yet this
word, this word! “Best!” Though it seems quite unlikely, Jacob had never
thought of his own accomplishments in relation to those of his peers. He had
only considered what ought to have been done and whether he did it well. But
now he was given a yardstick with which to measure himself against others. And
in the first taking of that measure, he was found by this revered teacher to be
unequaled. He was the best—and he liked it very much. 

 


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Christmas Countdown 2018 Day #14

Christmas Countdown 2018 Day #14

Posted on by Cindy


Laurie (L.C.) Lewis will always be a Marylander at heart—a weather-whining lover of crabs, American history, and the sea. She admits to being craft-challenged, particularly lethal with a glue gun, and a devotee of sappy movies. Her ninth published novel, her first romance novella, Sweet Water, was inspired by a visit to Oregon’s magnificent coastline, and time spent with Mother Eugenie, upon whom the character Mother Thomasine is based. 

 
Laurie’s women’s fiction novels include The Dragons of Alsace Farm (2016), Awakening Avery (2010), and Unspoken (2004), written as Laurie Lewis. 
 
Using the pen name L.C. Lewis, she wrote the five volumes of her award-winning FREE MEN and DREAMERS historical fiction series, set against the backdrop of the War of 1812: Dark Sky at Dawn (2007), Twilight’s Last Gleaming (2008), Dawn’s Early Light (2009), Oh, Say Can You See? (2010), and In God is Our Trust, (2011).

She is currently completing a political suspense novel planned for a summer 2017 release, a re -release of a romantic comedy, and she’s working on another historical fiction novel for a 2018 release. She loves to hear from readers.

Matthew Grayken is young, successful, and dying, which is why he’s about to propose to a total stranger. He isn’t interested in love. He needs a caregiver, a companion, and someone to be his legal voice when he can no longer speak for himself.

 

 
Lonely, compassionate nurse Mikaela Compton is intrigued by Matt Grayken’s tender request, but when their friendly marriage turns into love, she rejects the inevitability of Matt’s death and prays for a miracle instead.
 
Mikaela succeeds in reigniting Matt’s will to fight, but his body is losing the battle, and her determination to save him causes her to betray the fundamental promise she made him–to help him die peaceably.
 
Their last hope at saving Matt’s life will require a sacrifice from each of them, and force them to decide how far out on a limb they’re willing to go for love.

 

Snippet:
Mikaela closed the distance
and brushed her lips over his. His sensible side told him to push back, but he
had no will to send her away again. His battered hands framed her face and
pulled her mouth to his. He felt wholly alive for the first time in weeks, not
a patient first, but filled with the thoughts and feelings of a man. Of a
husband. He tried to raise his arms to wrap her close, but a sharp pain ended
the effort as Mikaela pulled back an inch, her smile completely happy and her
eyes joyfully bright. 
 
“I love you, Matt.” The words were spoken in a whisper, so light and airy that they tickled his lips. “Just finally be mine. Give me these arms to hold on to. This shoulder to lay my head on. This mouth that speaks honesty to me and gives me kisses. These are enough until you’re well. Just knowing you love me is enough.”
 
Each word had been followed by a touch that left him weak in the very best way. It took some doing to position their bodies so Mikaela could rest her head upon his chest without causing him pain, but the sensation of her against him was less painful than her absence. 
He drank in the heady scent of coconut in her hair, and felt life pump through him with the rise and fall of her breaths. He loved the press of her forehead against his throat and knew in that moment that he had been a prideful fool, squandering precious months on the silly notion that he could bar this woman from fully claiming his heart. 
 
The tree lights’ glow softly burned through the first traces of dusk. Small lights brightening a darkening night. He wondered if that was why Mikaela set the tree up early, to remind him that even when they couldn’t hold back the darkness, they must hold on to the light.

 



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Christmas Countdown 2018 Day #13

Christmas Countdown 2018 Day #13

Posted on by Cindy

 

 
 

 

Award-winning author, wife, mother, grandmother, Harry Potter geek, Army veteran, karate black belt, and online gamer girl.
 
 
 

 

   
~ Facebook ~ Website ~
~ Amazon ~ Bookbub ~
~ Twitter ~ Pinterest ~ Google+ ~
Recently widowed Rae Cavanaugh just survived the worst birthday of her life. She and her two young children must now face a holiday season filled with so many reminders of what they’ve lost. 
 
But when a coworker who’s raising his young nephew moves next door, Rae discovers that the support of a good friend, and the gift of a child, can bring back some of the joy of the season.

 

 
**A Novelette**
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

Snippet:
They spent the afternoon sorting the boxes. That’d been another bit of Amelia’s
advice, marking the boxes by room. Rae had taken the children into Jayden’s
room while Dylan worked at setting up his computer and sound system in the
living room.
For some reason, Beth had decided she wanted to play wherever he was. When he went into the kitchen with a box, she’d followed him. Then he’d moved one to the
bathroom, and she’d tagged along. When he’d returned to the living room, his
little shadow came along. Rae had collected her for a diaper change, but then
Beth resumed her search for Dylan again.

 

He paused, keyboard in hand, and watched the toddler playing with a toy. Was she
drawn to him because he was a man and she missed the man in her life? How did a
small child who couldn’t comprehend death handle the reality of it? All the
poor kid knew was that her daddy wasn’t there anymore.
 

 


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Favorite Christmas Reads #3

Posted on by Cindy

Welcome to my third and final favorite Christmas reads. Its hard to believe that  Christmas is almost here.

I started to read this series a year or two ago and loved it but I really need to continue it.

The Christmas Shoes: A Novel Based on the #1 Single by NewSongThe Christmas Blessing: A NovelThe Christmas Hope: A Novel

The Christmas Promise: A NovelThe Christmas Secret: A NovelThe Christmas Journey

The Christmas Note: A Novel

The rest of the series I need to finish up.

The Christmas Light: A NovelThe Christmas Town: A NovelThe Christmas Star: A Novel

If your looking for a fun and quick series to read then I highly recommend this one.

Book Blitz/ Kingdom of Glass & Ashes

Posted on by Cindy

Kingdom of Glass and Ashes: A Limited Edition Collection of Cinderella Retellings
Publication date: December 18th 2018
Genres: Adult, Fairy Tales, Fantasy

A classic fairy tale- but not how you remember it…

What if the stepmother wasn’t the only one who was wicked and Prince Charming wasn’t what he seemed? What if your favourite princess didn’t make it home by midnight?

Be transported to far away lands where fantasy and magic come together and pumpkins and princes are joined by shifters and stepsisters in this captivating collection of one of the greatest love stories ever told.

From the imagination of our authors, prepare to meet Cinderella as you’ve never read before. Kingdom of Glass and Ashes is a spellbinding collection of retellings, written by multiple USA Today and bestselling authors telling their own version of the beloved tale.

Get ready for romance, excitement, enchantment and more than just a glass slipper.

Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / iBooks / Kobo

—

SNEAK PEEKS:

Excerpt from Holly Hook:
I’m Ellia, Syndie’s ugly stepsister. Mother knows this, so she works Syndie to the bone, but this whole time, she’s been waiting. Planning. Syndie wants us on the streets, and despite my kindness, I’m no exception.

Following her to the Courts lands me in the hands of a handsome guard, Jasper. Literally. And he doesn’t seem to notice my corset or frizzy hair. Nervous and secretive, Jasper wants to stop cruel Prince Calvin from becoming King, which he’ll do when he chooses his wife at the royal ball. And now I’m key to a plan that can save my family and the entire Kingdom.

Our weapons? Two magical slippers. One gives false beauty–but only until midnight. Then the other shows the wearer’s true nature. If Prince Calvin even holds the hand of his chosen when the clock strikes twelve, the spell hits him, too. Everyone will see the truth and he’ll never become King.

He and Syndie deserve each other.

I must make her dreams come true. But Mother, my sister, and a kingdom of jealous girls will do anything to stop Syndie from snagging the Prince. But what terrifies me the most is that trapped slipper. I can’t let Jasper see how ugly I am, but if it all goes wrong, I’ll have to give myself to its magic.

The Kingdom must be saved at all costs, even if I must sacrifice my happily ever after.

—

Blurb from Emma Savant:
Hidden in the city of Portland, Oregon, is a shimmering world of magic—one faerie Olivia Feye doesn’t want to touch with a ten-foot wand. She’d rather study biology, or garden, or floss her teeth, or do literally anything except pay attention to the Glimmering world and her internship at Portland’s premier faerie godparent agency.

But when her supervisor is hospitalized after a flying pumpkin carriage accident, Olivia is thrust into the middle of a case. And this one won’t be easy: Her client is Elle, a barista whose plans don’t include an enchanted prom or Prince Charming.

The reward for a happily-ever-after is enough gold pieces to get Olivia out of the Glimmering world forever. But as she comes face-to-face with the complexities of faerie godmothering, she’s forced to wonder: How much is she willing to sacrifice for her own happy ending?

—

Blurb from D.L Pitchford:
A modern day Cinderella with a twist…

High school seniors Noah Barton and Eden Prince have competed for top of their class since age seven. When their academic rivalry ruins a thermodynamics demo, their physics teacher decides to help them get along. By forcing them to be lab partners.

As graduation approaches, Noah and Eden are too busy figuring out college to deal with each other. Noah’s football-loving dad sabotages his chance to win a big scholarship. Eden’s traditional mother cares more about finding her a husband than encouraging her dreams.

Winning big at the regional science fair is their last hope.

Will Noah follow in his mother’s footsteps? Can Eden show her parents the environment is more important than a boyfriend? Will Noah and Eden finally learn to work together?

Follow Noah and Eden’s budding romance in this emotionally charged, gender-swapped retelling of Cinderella.

Blurb from Cate Dean:
Sometimes, you have to create your own happily ever after…

Elle Summers spends her days taking care of her stepmother and stepsisters, but she is secretly working on her escape. With the help of her best friend, she plans to act her way to freedom.

When she auditions for a local production, her life is turned upside down by entrepreneur and producer Henry Winters. He needs a new leading lady for his Broadway production, and he wants her. He sweeps her off her feet and to the Great White Way, where she finally has her chance to shine.

But in the whirlwind of her new life, she forgets one thing – her stepmother and stepsisters.

While she starts to live the life she’s always dreamed about, they are plotting a way to bring her home. And if their plan works, Elle will fail – in a way that not even a fairy godmother can fix.

 

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