Okay...I know I'm not a very consistent blogger. I'm sorry. Sometimes, even though I often have things to say, I don't.
Which is probably a good thing. Trust me on this.
Anyhow, I'm taking a hiatus until January 1st, when my goal is to begin blogging every day! (You'll see...not always a good thing.)
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! And thanks for reading, when I write.
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Ramsey Reviews Gives Moon Shifter 4.5 Stars!
Dec
23
Ramsey’s Book Reviews
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Christmas Romance
While the entire story of Sapphire and Gold isn't centered around Christmas, there are several scenes that take place during the Christmas season in Colonial Williamsburg. Here's an excerpt of one:
Alexandra stood at the staircase landing’s large multi-paned window, bathed in the golden glow of the setting sun. She waited and worried. Waited for Derek’s schooner to appear at the plantation’s wharf. Worried about his reaction to her confession.
She placed her hand on her abdomen and wondered if she would look different to him. Within weeks her condition would be apparent to all. Would he turn away from her in disgust? She wouldn’t be able to bear it.
“Alexandra?”
She leaned over the balustrade looped with spruce garlands. “Yes, Mother?”
Laurel stood at the foot of the stairs. “Our guests are arriving.”
“I’ll join you in the ballroom in a few minutes.” With a heavy sigh, she cast one more longing glance out the window then gathered the folds of her burgundy velvet skirt and descended the stairs in slow, unhurried steps. Her brow knitted in concern. Derek had said he would be there. Something terrible must have happened.
“Why, wherever could your husband be, sister dear?”
Alexandra turned to see Jillian emerge from the shadows of the hall. The jubilant expression in the younger woman’s dark gaze put her on guard.
“Do you suppose he has tired of you already?” Jillian shook her head and clucked her tongue. “I can see why. You look a bit dreadful. I fear that color doesn’t suit you. Did you do your own hair? Your secret’s safe with me. I shan’t tell anyone.”
Alexandra resisted the urge to smooth her hair. The slight movement would only serve to reward her sister’s desire for revenge. Instead, she stood confident. Derek had often remarked he liked her hair unbound and he had chosen her dress himself. “I won’t fight with you. Nothing you can say will spoil this day for me.” With quiet dignity, she walked past the younger woman.
“I do believe the purpose of this ball is to celebrate your marriage. Won’t that be a trifle difficult without your roving husband?”
Alexandra’s footsteps faltered for but a moment at the venom in her sister’s voice. Then she squared her shoulders and continued on her way, struggling to shut out the echo of Jillian’s mocking laughter.
“Derek has not left me,” she whispered. “He will come back. He must.” She lifted her chin a notch and entered the ballroom.
Festive splendor greeted her. Christmas finery decked the large room and brought a hint of a smile to her troubled heart. The fragrance of pine and bayberry mingled in the air. Garlands of box and bay added touches of gaiety. Sprigs of holly had been tucked behind the mirrors. In one corner, fiddlers played a romantic ballad that tugged at her already fragile emotions.
She forced back the sudden onslaught of weepiness and moved forward to greet her guests. Many of the prominent planters of the area accompanied their wives in wishing Alexandra well with her marriage and asking after Derek. After each congratulatory offer, the scorching heat of Jillian’s triumphant gaze bored through her back.
Where are you, Derek? Behind her she heard the doors open. The curtains fluttered, then a hush fell over the room.
She turned. There stood Derek.
Dizzying joy swept through her Her husband caught her up against his lean, muscled form. “I claim the right of kissing the fair maiden standing beneath the kissing ball.” He lowered his mouth to hers and stole her breath.
Alexandra entwined her arms around his neck and reveled in the sweet sensations. “I thought you’d never arrive.”
He pressed a final kiss to the tip of her nose. “I always keep my promises. Don’t you know that by now?”
A lump in her throat thickened her speech. “I’m sorry I ever doubted you.” A frown gathered on her forehead and she gave his chest a sharp poke. “Where have you been?”
His eyes alight with a merry twinkle, Derek turned and signaled to a house servant. Within seconds, Polly Taylor and the children swarmed around her, talking and hugging all at once.
The children had come. Tears spilled down her cheeks as she pulled them close, touching each and every one of them to assure herself they were really there. She looked up. Derek stood outside the circle of children, his grin wide. “Is this the pressing matter you had to attend to?”
He nodded. “You are pleased with your Christmas gift?”
“Pleased? I’m more than pleased. It was more than I dared to dream for.” No wonder she loved him so.
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Your new fortune cookie -
12/21-12/27 PLANS OUTRUN RESULTS IN THIS TIME SLOT, WITH EVERYBODY PUSHING. MONDAY THRU WEDNESDAY, THOUGHTS OVERWHELM, BUT THURSDAY HELPS GET PLANS BACK TO BASICS. THE WEEKEND IS WAY MORE GROUNDED, EVEN CALM?
Deja Vu Lover
by EPPIE winning author
Phoebe Matthews
The Invitation by Scarlett Sanderson
I love Christmas. For me it’s a magical time filled with goodwill to all and a deep seated belief that anything is possible. Looking out of my window here in England we actually have snow! Now, for anyone not in the United Kingdom, I’ll explain why snow five days before Christmas is so exciting. Every year we hope for a white Christmas and all we get is horribly damp, mild weather. The snow usually makes an appearance in January when everyone is back at work and causes chaos.
This is the first time it has snowed before Christmas in many years. I’m thoroughly excited!
As I said...Christmas is a time for believing. It was this belief in the fantastic that made me sit down and write The Invitation — a Christmas fairytale.
I would like to wish you a Merry Christmas!! And remember, anything is possible...
Evie Ward lives in her head. As a writer she weaves magical tales of timeless love, things that go bump in the night and seductive, charismatic heroes. When an invitation to the most prestigious Christmas Eve ball in the country arrives, Evie is stunned. Personally signed by the handsome, yet elusive, Gabriel Longthorn, she begins to wonder what a man like him could possibly want with her. Could it be her wildest fantasies of Christmas at Longthorn Manor are finally coming true? Whisked into a fairytale world where everything she can imagine is real, Evie must take a leap of faith this Christmas if she is to change her life forever?
Friday, December 18, 2009
Magic Christmas by Barbara Edwards
Welcome to Rhodes End. I couldn't resist telling this story about wishes coming true.
MAGIC CHRISTMAS by Barbara Edwards
“Is Daddy coming home for Christmas?” Sarah stared out the living room window at a single snowflake. Fluffy as a down feather, it danced and bobbed in the air.
“He wants to, baby, but Afghanistan is thousands of miles from Rhodes End.” When her Mom gave her a quick hug her tummy was a warm mound under Sarah’s cheek. Yesterday she’d felt her baby brother kick. Sarah swallowed a hiccup and turned her head so Mom didn’t see her tears. Mom cried sometimes, too, but thought Sarah didn’t know. She was a strong soldier like her Dad.
“What if we make a wish? Will that help?” She bounced on her toes. If she could catch the first snowflake, her wish would come true.
“A wish can’t hurt.” Mom ruffled her hair and patted her lightly on the shoulder.
“Then I’d better hurry. Tonight is Christmas Eve.” Sarah raced to put on her red winter coat, knit mittens and boots.
The door slammed behind her as she searched the yard. The feathery flake hung near the edge of the woods. Sarah laughed as she ran after it.
The thick grey clouds promised another white Christmas. The holiday was always special here. Tonight the townspeople would sing carols on the Green and there would be a living manger with cows and a burro. Mr. Dickens dressed as one of the Magi and paraded three Llamas to greet the baby Jesus.
The snowflake waited for her. Sarah cupped her hands under the delicate shape. A sunbeam glittered blindingly and she blinked. The snowflake was gone. On her palm sat a winged fairy.
“Oh no,” Sarah wailed. “I must make a wish on the first snowflake. Who are you?”
“My name is Noel, and I’m a Christmas fairy. What do you wish for?” She tilted her head to study Sarah’s face. Gossamer wings fluttered as she crossed her legs.
“My Dad promised to come home for Christmas, but he’s at the other side of the world. Mom said it’s too far, but that a wish might help.”
“Your Mom sounds nice. Does she believe in magic?”
“I don’t think so. She said if wishes were horses then beggars would ride, but I don’t know what that means. Should I ask her?”
“Grown-ups don’t understand magic. Instead, you can take me inside and I’ll watch her.”
“But what about my wish?” Sarah wailed.
Noel didn’t answer. Shimmering, she changed before Sarah’s eyes into a lovely winged doll dressed in white lace.
“Mom! Mom! Look! I found her in the yard.” Sarah shouted. The front door slammed again. “Her name is Noel.”
Mom lifted the doll from Sarah’s grasp. “She’s beautiful. And you already named her? I hope she’d not lost. Someone must miss her very much. She looks like one of those angels used as a Christmas tree topper.”
“I don’t think she’s lost, Mom. Can we take her with us to the carol sing?”
Mom crouched in front of Sarah, Noel between them. “Don’t be surprised if she is lost and someone recognizes her. The whole town will be there.”
Sarah pouted. “Not everyone. Daddy won’t.”
“Oh, Sarah, You know how much he misses us and wants to be home.” Mom stood and pressed her hands to her lower back. Noel’s dress fluttered as if a breeze caught her skirts. Mom turned and stared outside. While they talked an inch of snow had covered the yard. “I wish he could see this.”
“If we wish hard enough, he will.” Sarah took her Mom’s hand and tugged her toward the kitchen. She cradled Noel to her chest with her free arm. “I’ll help pack the cookies for the church social.”
Mom laughed. “I’m already done. All we need to do is dress warmly. By the way its mounting that snow will have the roads closed for Christmas morning.”
Sarah wrapped Noel in a thick baby blanket she kept for her other dolls. She whispered, “Are you cold?” Noel’s blue eyes twinkled and Sarah accepted that as an answer she was okay.
Her Mom slid the driver’s seat all the way back after helping Sarah buckle in. She arranged the cookie containers on the floor so they wouldn’t tip if she had to stop fast.
“Tell me again about the new baby, Mom. Will he come tonight?”
“I hope not,” Mom said and laughed as she backed the car onto the road and turned toward the church. Sarah pressed her nose to the cold glass, her breathe clouding the surface. A kazillion bright lights decorated every house, changing Rhodes End into a glittering fairyland.
“Look, look, there’s the stable,” Sarah pointed at the clumsy structure the CCD class had erected to house the cow and burro during tonight’s Christmas play. The manger and straw bales were dimly lit by an old kerosene lantern. One of the robe-garbed wise men led a harnessed llama past.
A number of cars crowded the streets and parking lots between the Catholic Church and the Congregational Church bracketing the town Green. Hundreds of villagers crowded the Green. Laughter rang like bells and children shrieked with excitement as they scrambled to hit each other with snowballs.
The church elders had arranged a bonfire. A table manned by white-haired old ladies dispensed hot cider. At exactly six o’clock both churches rang their bells and everyone cheered. They gathered in front of the Congregational church steps as the choir director handed out music copies to anyone who didn’t already know the words.
Mom rejoined Sarah after taking the cookies inside. Her hands were cold and she rubbed her back as if it hurt. Everyone sang the old Carols and a few seasonal hymns. Mr. Schmidt led a Hanukkah song. Like every year, the youth group performed the Christmas Story with live animals.
“I wish Daddy could see this,” Sarah whispered as she hugged Noel tight.
“Maybe he will,” Noel’s voice tinkled in her ear.
Mom groaned. Her hand squeezed too tightly and Sarah glanced up at her pale face.
“Mom?”
“Looks like your brother might be a Christmas baby after all.” Mom glanced around. “Could you bring Dr. White over here? Tell him my water broke.”
Sarah knew better than to ask questions when Mom sounded like that.
A few minutes later Doc bent close to ask a question, but Mom sank to her knees.
“Too fast,” she cried. “He’s coming too fast.”
Doc called directions and people swirled in a whirlwind of activity around Mom. Sarah couldn’t see. Then Mom laughed. The crowd parted and Sarah saw her naked baby brother cuddled to Mom’s chest. She dropped Noel to hand Mom the fluffy blanket as a gust of snow blew across the Green.
A state plow slowed to a halt and a soldier leaped down.
“Daddy?” Sarah whispered.
“I can’t explain why my squad all got leave.” He explained. “And then a military transport flew right into Harford. It was like my wishes came true.” He gathered them into his arms and Sarah looked for Noel, but saw only a new angel atop the tree.
MAGIC CHRISTMAS by Barbara Edwards
“Is Daddy coming home for Christmas?” Sarah stared out the living room window at a single snowflake. Fluffy as a down feather, it danced and bobbed in the air.
“He wants to, baby, but Afghanistan is thousands of miles from Rhodes End.” When her Mom gave her a quick hug her tummy was a warm mound under Sarah’s cheek. Yesterday she’d felt her baby brother kick. Sarah swallowed a hiccup and turned her head so Mom didn’t see her tears. Mom cried sometimes, too, but thought Sarah didn’t know. She was a strong soldier like her Dad.
“What if we make a wish? Will that help?” She bounced on her toes. If she could catch the first snowflake, her wish would come true.
“A wish can’t hurt.” Mom ruffled her hair and patted her lightly on the shoulder.
“Then I’d better hurry. Tonight is Christmas Eve.” Sarah raced to put on her red winter coat, knit mittens and boots.
The door slammed behind her as she searched the yard. The feathery flake hung near the edge of the woods. Sarah laughed as she ran after it.
The thick grey clouds promised another white Christmas. The holiday was always special here. Tonight the townspeople would sing carols on the Green and there would be a living manger with cows and a burro. Mr. Dickens dressed as one of the Magi and paraded three Llamas to greet the baby Jesus.
The snowflake waited for her. Sarah cupped her hands under the delicate shape. A sunbeam glittered blindingly and she blinked. The snowflake was gone. On her palm sat a winged fairy.
“Oh no,” Sarah wailed. “I must make a wish on the first snowflake. Who are you?”
“My name is Noel, and I’m a Christmas fairy. What do you wish for?” She tilted her head to study Sarah’s face. Gossamer wings fluttered as she crossed her legs.
“My Dad promised to come home for Christmas, but he’s at the other side of the world. Mom said it’s too far, but that a wish might help.”
“Your Mom sounds nice. Does she believe in magic?”
“I don’t think so. She said if wishes were horses then beggars would ride, but I don’t know what that means. Should I ask her?”
“Grown-ups don’t understand magic. Instead, you can take me inside and I’ll watch her.”
“But what about my wish?” Sarah wailed.
Noel didn’t answer. Shimmering, she changed before Sarah’s eyes into a lovely winged doll dressed in white lace.
“Mom! Mom! Look! I found her in the yard.” Sarah shouted. The front door slammed again. “Her name is Noel.”
Mom lifted the doll from Sarah’s grasp. “She’s beautiful. And you already named her? I hope she’d not lost. Someone must miss her very much. She looks like one of those angels used as a Christmas tree topper.”
“I don’t think she’s lost, Mom. Can we take her with us to the carol sing?”
Mom crouched in front of Sarah, Noel between them. “Don’t be surprised if she is lost and someone recognizes her. The whole town will be there.”
Sarah pouted. “Not everyone. Daddy won’t.”
“Oh, Sarah, You know how much he misses us and wants to be home.” Mom stood and pressed her hands to her lower back. Noel’s dress fluttered as if a breeze caught her skirts. Mom turned and stared outside. While they talked an inch of snow had covered the yard. “I wish he could see this.”
“If we wish hard enough, he will.” Sarah took her Mom’s hand and tugged her toward the kitchen. She cradled Noel to her chest with her free arm. “I’ll help pack the cookies for the church social.”
Mom laughed. “I’m already done. All we need to do is dress warmly. By the way its mounting that snow will have the roads closed for Christmas morning.”
Sarah wrapped Noel in a thick baby blanket she kept for her other dolls. She whispered, “Are you cold?” Noel’s blue eyes twinkled and Sarah accepted that as an answer she was okay.
Her Mom slid the driver’s seat all the way back after helping Sarah buckle in. She arranged the cookie containers on the floor so they wouldn’t tip if she had to stop fast.
“Tell me again about the new baby, Mom. Will he come tonight?”
“I hope not,” Mom said and laughed as she backed the car onto the road and turned toward the church. Sarah pressed her nose to the cold glass, her breathe clouding the surface. A kazillion bright lights decorated every house, changing Rhodes End into a glittering fairyland.
“Look, look, there’s the stable,” Sarah pointed at the clumsy structure the CCD class had erected to house the cow and burro during tonight’s Christmas play. The manger and straw bales were dimly lit by an old kerosene lantern. One of the robe-garbed wise men led a harnessed llama past.
A number of cars crowded the streets and parking lots between the Catholic Church and the Congregational Church bracketing the town Green. Hundreds of villagers crowded the Green. Laughter rang like bells and children shrieked with excitement as they scrambled to hit each other with snowballs.
The church elders had arranged a bonfire. A table manned by white-haired old ladies dispensed hot cider. At exactly six o’clock both churches rang their bells and everyone cheered. They gathered in front of the Congregational church steps as the choir director handed out music copies to anyone who didn’t already know the words.
Mom rejoined Sarah after taking the cookies inside. Her hands were cold and she rubbed her back as if it hurt. Everyone sang the old Carols and a few seasonal hymns. Mr. Schmidt led a Hanukkah song. Like every year, the youth group performed the Christmas Story with live animals.
“I wish Daddy could see this,” Sarah whispered as she hugged Noel tight.
“Maybe he will,” Noel’s voice tinkled in her ear.
Mom groaned. Her hand squeezed too tightly and Sarah glanced up at her pale face.
“Mom?”
“Looks like your brother might be a Christmas baby after all.” Mom glanced around. “Could you bring Dr. White over here? Tell him my water broke.”
Sarah knew better than to ask questions when Mom sounded like that.
A few minutes later Doc bent close to ask a question, but Mom sank to her knees.
“Too fast,” she cried. “He’s coming too fast.”
Doc called directions and people swirled in a whirlwind of activity around Mom. Sarah couldn’t see. Then Mom laughed. The crowd parted and Sarah saw her naked baby brother cuddled to Mom’s chest. She dropped Noel to hand Mom the fluffy blanket as a gust of snow blew across the Green.
A state plow slowed to a halt and a soldier leaped down.
“Daddy?” Sarah whispered.
“I can’t explain why my squad all got leave.” He explained. “And then a military transport flew right into Harford. It was like my wishes came true.” He gathered them into his arms and Sarah looked for Noel, but saw only a new angel atop the tree.
Friday, December 11, 2009
Next week's fortune cookie -
12/14-12/20 MONDAY AND TUESDAY START A GOOD WEEK TO SOCIALIZE AND CLOSE DEALS. WEDNESDAY BRINGS NEW BEGINNINGS AND A SOLID FOOTING. THE WEEKEND? THINK CAREFULLY TO MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR CHOICES.
Deja Vu Lover
by Award-Winning author Phoebe Matthews
Monday, December 07, 2009
Broken Hero by Anne Whitfield
Broken Hero is my emotional WWII romance set in England.Blurb:
Audrey Pearson's life changed dramatically when WWII broke out and her large home, Twelve Pines on the East Yorkshire coast, became a convalescence home for wounded soldiers. Her life is no longer lavish with entertainment, beautiful clothes and surrounded by a loving family. Soldiers, physically and mentally wounded now fill her home. The smell of disinfectant replaces her mother's perfume and gone are the friends and acquaintances - instead nurses roam the hallways.
Captain Jake Harding, a doctor training in psychiatry arrives at Twelve Pines. Audrey immediately finds herself attracted to the Captain, but he is remote towards her. Puzzled by his cold behaviour, Audrey tries to learn more about the handsome Captain. He reveals that he's lost a wife and baby in childbirth and refuses to ever remarry. However, despite this, Audrey believes she can change his mind and make him aware he doesn't have to spend his life alone. The ice around Jake's heart begins to melt. For years he has rejected the possibility of finding love again because of the pain it caused him before, but the beautiful Audrey shows him her love and she needs someone to love her in return. Could he honestly walk away from her, from the love that could be his?
From Amazon USA
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1601542267/ref=cm_pdp_srp_img_1
Review
"From the first pages I was drawn into England during World War II; Ms. Whitfield does an exemplary job of describing the country and the people. The dialogue is relaxed and believable, and it is easy to see both Audrey and Jake longing for each other, yet unable to give freely of themselves. I loved that there were no easy answers for this couple; the tension created between them is palpable and gut wrenching."
Tammy - http://taminator40.blogspot.com/
Merry Christmas to all!
Saturday, December 05, 2009
Fortune cookie time -
12/7-12/13 According to the Prediction page this is a GREAT WEEKEND FOR NOISY ENTERTAINMENT. Right on! I went to the 5th Ave theater in Seattle for the 50th anniversary and the lighting of the new sign, a copy of the original, with lots of noisy celebrating in the street. Followed by a delightful production of White Christmas, which the heroine of Deja Vu Lover would love!
For this week’s fortune cookie, check the Predictions page at Phoebe’s place.
Deja Vu Lover
by Phoebe Matthews,
author and
2010 EPPIE finalist
and 2009 EPPIE winner
Friday, December 04, 2009
Claire Ashgrove's New Release for Christmas
Just in time for Christmas!!All I Want For Christmas... Is Big Blue Eyes releases today from The Wild Rose Press.
Some dreams were never
meant to be...
meant to be...
Renowned architect, Josh McDaniels, spent ten years avoiding his hometown and the unforgettable memories of his youth. But when a former classmate phones him before Christmas with a proposal he can’t refuse, he finds himself back in small-town, Lexington, Missouri, surrounded by holiday festivities and engulfed in memories of a blue-eyed girl.
Amanda Masterson knows three things about Josh. She loves him, he loves her, and he’ll walk out when those feelings terrify him, as he always does. Ten years ago, he abandoned their dreams. Eight years ago, he returned to break her heart again. Now, he’s back once more, and this time, he’s jeopardizing not only her heart but her daughter’s as well.
Can the spirit of Christmas overcome a past riddled with mistakes? Or will fears and doubts destroy the greatest gift of all?
Check out the excerpt!
Available in both electronic format and print format. You can purchase them here.
I hope all of you have a wonderful holiday season, and thank you all for your continued support.
~Claire
I hope all of you have a wonderful holiday season, and thank you all for your continued support.
~Claire