Friday, November 29, 2013

Addicted to Christmas Movies by Melissa McClone

I watch an hour of television a week. Each fall, my family decides on what show I'll watch with them. This season it's The Blacklist. But for one month of the year, starting tonight, I turn into a TV junkie.

Why?

I'm addicted to Christmas movies.

Every day I work hard to meet my word count goal so I can plop myself on the couch that night and watch whatever movie is showing on the Hallmark or Lifetime Channels. One evening one December ago, my husband had an a-ha moment about my love of Christmas movies. The conversation went something like this:

Him during a commercial: "I know why you love these movies so much."

Me: "They're about Christmas."

Him: "They're like the books you write."

He was oh-so-right. Check out the Hallmark Channel's trailer from their YouTube Channel for one of my favorites called The Christmas Card:



The narration could be the back cover blurb for a sweet romance! This holiday movie and so many others that I love to watch over and over again are like the sweet romances on my keeper shelf, in my TBR pile and downloaded to my Kindle, ones like the Sweet Romance Reads authors here at this blog write. Heartwarming, emotional stories full of community, family, home and, of course, love. Stories that allow us to escape for a couple hours and make our hearts sigh when we reach the happy ending.

If you're like me and can't wait to see the new movies out each holiday season, try a sweet romance or two if you haven't already. Trust me, it's a good way to tie yourself over from January until the day after Thanksgiving when the Christmas movie watching binge begins! (At least mine.) Why do you think I save up some of the Christmas romance novels in my TRB stack and don't read them until after New Year's?

Do you have a favorite Christmas movie you love to watch?

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Melissa McClone has written over twenty-five novels for Harlequin Books and Tule Publishing Group. She's also been nominated for Romance Writers of America's RITA award. Melissa lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband, three school-aged children, two spoiled Norwegian Elkhounds and cats who think they rule the house. You can learn more about Melissa at her website.

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Melissa has three new Christmas stories out right now, ones she hopes readers might consider Hallmark Channel worthy. A Little Bit of Holiday Magic from Harlequin Romance is available at most digital retailers, including Amazon, iBooks and B&N. Home For Christmas is part of Montana Born Books' A Copper Mountain Christmas novellas and available at Amazon. Mistletoe Magic, a short story companion to A Copper Mountain Christmas series, is available at Amazon, bn.com and for free at Smashwords.

Wednesday, November 27, 2013

I’m thankful for—no turkey disasters! by Laura Scott

‘Tis the day before Thanksgiving and all through the house, the children are stirring, hoping for a meal not a louse.
Thanksgiving is a time for reflecting back upon the year for everything thing we have to be thankful for. And truly, I have a wonderful family, great and loyal friends, a fantastic career. But all I want for this Thanksgiving is to avoid any Thanksgiving meal disasters!

It’s one thing to host your own family, but I’m hosting my in-laws. The pressure is on! The last time they came to my house for Thanksgiving, I undercooked the turkey. Yes, that’s right, I had the whole meal finished on time, but then had raw turkey so had to pop the bird back in the oven for another hour! Needless to say, the rest of the meal was less than stellar, considering everything had to be re-warmed and the potatoes were a bit crunchy.

You can see why I haven’t had my husband’s family over since that disastrous event but my mother and father-in-law have had a rough year health wise so what else could I do but offer to host? They must have forgotten what happened last time (although my kids sure haven’t) so they eagerly agreed to come.

So drop in and leave a comment about your best Thanksgiving disaster. I’m happy to offer a free copy of my Christmas book Her Mistletoe Protector. Besides, I’d hate to think I’m the only one who’s had to go through something like this.

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Laura Scott is a critical care nurse by day and a romance writer by night. She grew up reading and writing and is thrilled to have published over thirty-five books. She loves writing faith based suspense novels for Love Inspired Suspense. Laura lives in Milwaukee, Wisconsin with her husband of 27 years. She can be found on Facebook, Twitter and at www.laurascottbooks.com

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Laura Scott’s latest release is Her Mistletoe Protector is available now through Amazon and Barnes and Noble.

Monday, November 25, 2013

The Things I Do for Research By Margaret Daley


When I wrote The Protectors Series (Dangerous Pursuit, Dangerous Interlude and Dangerous Paradise), I wanted to showcase places I had been to in a story. I love traveling and using tidbits I’ve learned in my travels. In Dangerous Paradise, my husband and I went to Oahu, Hawaii and I was able to spend some time with a friend who was part Hawaiian and part Swedish and her large family. The scene at the Fourth of July picnic was similar to what my husband and I did with my friend. What I loved was it was for the locals more than tourist.

The scene in Dangerous Paradise on the beach on the Fourth of July was where we went to swim several times. It was around the corner from where we stayed. It was amazing to think only six months later in the winter, surfers would be riding in huge waves and the beach where I was would be under water. I’ve seen pictures of it on television and it isn’t the same place in the winter months.

I’m giving away two free ebook copies of Dangerous Paradise to commenters. Where have you gone that has been special to you or an experience you’d like seen written in a book?

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Margaret Daley, an award-winning author of eighty-six books, has been married for over forty years and is a firm believer in romance and love. When she isn’t traveling, she’s writing love stories, often with a suspense thread and corralling her three cats that think they rule her household.

To find out more about Margaret visit her website, Facebook and Twitter.

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Newly released, Dangerous Paradise, is the third book in The Protectors Series. The first book is Dangerous Pursuit and the second book is Dangerous Interlude.
Buy at Amazon: Dangerous Pursuit, Dangerous Interlude, Dangerous Paradise
Buy at Barnes and Noble: Dangerous Pursuit, Dangerous Interlude, Dangerous Paradise

Friday, November 22, 2013

Love is in the Air by Helen Scott Taylor


Any time of year is the right time for love and romance, but there are times of year and settings with special meaning that add an extra dimension to a story.

An exotic summer retreat with white sandy beaches where couples kiss under swaying palm trees is wonderfully romantic. I can't deny I love books set in places like this. (Especially as I live in the mostly cool, wet British Isles!)

Romantic walks holding hands with your sweetheart, kicking up the multi-colored autumn leaves is another favorite. And there is nothing like a spring wedding, the time of year when the world wakes up from winter, when flowers and new leaves appear, when a bride and groom can stand among the daffodils in the churchyard to have their photo taken.

I love all of the above, but for me the most romantic time of year is the Christmas holiday season. This is the time of year when love and goodwill seem to overflow and romance is in the air, a time for both lovers and families to enjoy, a time of year with so many opportunities for romantic fun.

There are endless scenarios for romantic scenes, buying Christmas trees, taking the children to visit Santa Clause, happy couples frolicking in the snow, kissing under the mistletoe, or cuddling together on the sofa in front of a roaring log fire, families gathered together around the Christmas tree unwrapping gifts. I admit it—I have written them all.

Christmas is the ideal time for heroes to show their mettle, to demonstrate they are kind, loving men, worthy of their heroines, men who value and protect their children.

Nothing beats a winter wedding, with the bride in a fur shrug, the groom in morning dress, and a nativity scene in the back of the medieval English country church.

Maybe I live in the past, or an old-fashioned fantasy world, but this sweet, heartwarming type of story is what I love to read and write.

What time of year do you think is the most romantic?

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Helen Scott Taylor won the American Title IV contest in 2008. Her winning book, The Magic Knot, was published in 2009 to critical acclaim, received a starred review from Booklist, and was a Booklist top ten romance for 2009. Since then, she has published other novels, novellas, and short stories in both the UK and USA. Helen lives in South West England near Plymouth in Devon between the windswept expanse of Dartmoor and the rocky Atlantic coast. As well as her wonderful, long-suffering husband, she shares her home with a westie a Shih Tzu and a burmilla cat. She believes that deep within everyone, there’s a little magic. Find Helen on FaceBook and Twitter, or visit her website.

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Helen's latest releases are all Christmas books! For a boxed set of three heartwarming novellas full of children, cute pets and snow try Merry Christmas Romance. If you enjoy military or medical heroes, The Army Doctor's Christmas Collection boxed set is for you. Both are Kindle ebooks. For those who have Nooks, A Family for Christmas is a bestselling Christmas ebook on Barnes and Noble.

Wednesday, November 20, 2013

A Recipe for a Sweet Romance by Grace Greene


With the holidays approaching, lots of tempting recipes are being passed around, so I decided to share one of my favorites – my recipe for a Sweet Romance. There’s lots of great options out there, and they’re all guaranteed to please a wide audience and generations of readers.

What’s my recipe for a Sweet Romance?

Basic ingredients: heart, emotion, attraction, special seasonings, and a happily-ever-after.

1) Warm the heart, add in emotion, and sprinkle in attraction. When well-blended, fold in grief or sadness or jealousy, to taste. Add a dollop of danger, if desired.

2) Stir until mixture begins to change consistency and thickens

3) Layer the batter into a well-greased dish. Bake until it rises and turns a happy, golden tone.

4) Garnish with secrets, promises, inspiration and happily-ever-after’s.

A Sweet Romance may be consumed immediately or allowed to cool. It stores well and can be enjoyed any time the mood hits.

Serving suggestions: Your enjoyment may be enhanced by consuming a Sweet Romance while in a swing beneath a tree on a spring day, or on the beach on a summer afternoon, or curled up under a fleece blanket in the fall, or in front of a fireplace in the winter.

A Sweet Romance is always best when shared. 

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Grace Greene writes stories of love, suspense and inspiration. She lives in Virginia, and has many ties to North Carolina. Grace is also an artist and photographer and those interests show up on the pages of her books. Stay in touch with Grace at www.GraceGreene.com

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Grace’s newest release, BEACH WINDS, is out this month. BEACH WINDS is the sequel to BEACH RENTAL, but you’ll enjoy it even if you haven’t yet read BEACH RENTAL. BEACH WINDS is available in print and eformat at Amazon and Smashwords, and will be available at other retailers later this month.

Monday, November 18, 2013

Why I Write Romance by Donna Fasano


I can’t tell you how many times over the course of my 20-plus year career as a published romance author I have been asked, “When are you going to write a real book? You know, a [insert genre of choice: mystery, historical, thriller, etc].” So I’d like to take this opportunity to tell readers why I write romance novels.

I suffered a lot of tragedy while I was growing up, the worst of which was the death of my mother just as I was entering my teens. I felt as though I went from 13 to 35 overnight, and when my friends were off having fun, I was cooking and cleaning and helping my little brother with his homework. Romance novels were an escape for me. The Wolf and the Dove, The Far Pavilions, Whitney My Love, Rebecca, The Thorne Birds…if the book featured one man and one woman falling in love, I read it! Romance novels offered me hope for a happy future filled with love (hokey, maybe, but I was a naïve teen). As a young wife and mother, I discovered Silhouette Romance Novels. These books were short and sweet and uplifting. Each and every story put a smile on my face, and the happily-ever-after endings always boosted my spirits. Are romance novels real? No. Does every real-life relationship end in HEA? Of course not. But if I wanted doom and gloom, I’d watch the evening news.

As an author, I can’t think of a better way to use my talent than to bring pure enjoyment to my readers. I tell people that I write cotton candy for the mind. Think about that. When you were a kid and you put a small cloud of that wispy confection on your tongue, what did you do? You smiled. And maybe you even laughed. That’s the reaction I’m going for with my short, upbeat stories. That’s why I write romance novels. So if you’re looking to get lost for a few hours in a fun, cheery story, I hope you’ll try one of my books.

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USA TODAY Bestselling Author Donna Fasano has written of over 30 novels that have sold nearly 4 million copies worldwide. You can find her on the internet: at her blog, and on Facebook, and on Twitter. She loves to hear from her readers. Her books are available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Smashwords, Kobo, Sony, and Apple iBooks.

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Exciting news! Donna's newest release, Reclaim My Heart, has been picked up by Montlake. Look for it in the US Kindle Store, in the UK Kindle Store, and in the CA Kindle Store. It's also available in trade paperback.

Friday, November 8, 2013

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