Saturday, September 30, 2017

Meet the Authors of Sweet Christmas Kisses 4 - Josie Riviera and Christine Bush




A Portuguese Christmas
Josie Riviera

Feliz Natal means Merry Christmas in Portuguese!

I had such fun writing A Portuguese Christmas, my contribution to our Sweet Romance Reads 4 boxed set. And, in turn, I learned a great deal about Portugal, and the country’s lack of snow during the holiday season.

The story is set in December. Krystal Walters, the heroine, is an American professional surfer, and is competing in Portugal during the holidays in a world-class surfing event. She misses the snow, and envisions returning to her home in snowy Rhode Island to celebrate Christmas with her father.

However, the average temperature in Portugal in December/January boasts a high of 59 degrees, with temperatures dipping to a low 46 degrees. So, snow is very rare, especially in the cities, such as Lisbon.

Through my research, I also learned that Portugal’s climate is diverse. The river Tejo goes through Lisbon, and any regions south are warm and dry, and reportedly it’s only snowed there once in twenty years.

Any regions north of the river are rainy and cold in winter.

Here’s the first cover of A Portuguese Christmas.



 
 
 
The hero, Adolfo, is an olive farmer, and this hero didn’t look like a man who farms the land to me. Those of you who’ve heard my praise of my wonderful cover artist, know I trust her judgement. However, in addition to a hero who didn’t fit my vision, she forgot one important thing. There’s no snow in Portugal!

However, I LOVE the hero on this cover, which was unanimously approved! J



 
 
 
The moment world-class surfer Krystal disappears under a mountain of sea water, Adolfo’s single-minded focus shifts from running his Portuguese olive farm to keeping the sun-kissed American spitfire safe. But first he’ll have to convince her that spending Feliz Natal with him isn’t the end of the world. Because she’s become the center of his.

 Giveaway!

To celebrate our Sweet Christmas 4 boxed set release, I’m giving away one of my favorite Bath and Body Works body cream. The scent is “Fresh Sparkling Snow.” I’m sure Krystal, the heroine of A Portuguese Christmas, would approve!

In order to enter the giveaway, please answer the following question and leave a comment below.

Do you like snow during the holiday season, or do you prefer warm, sunny weather?

One lucky winner will be selected and announced, so stay tuned.

Feliz Natal!
 
 
 



Josie Riviera is a USA TODAY Bestselling Author of contemporary, inspirational, and historical sweet romances that read like Hallmark movies. She lives in the Charlotte, NC, area with her wonderfully supportive husband. They share their home with an adorable Shih Tzu who constantly needs grooming and live in an old house forever needing renovations.


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I love our Christmas bundle of sweet romance stories. Our new “Sweet Christmas Kisses 4” has just arrived to launch the season! Each novella is full of love and tenderness and the joy of the holiday.  And every one is different. Each author emphasizes some aspect of that Christmas spirit in their story.

When I’m not wearing my “author hat”, I’m a therapist, a calling that sometimes brings me deeply into my clients’ feelings about the difficult situations of life.  So many people (and so many readers) arrive at the holiday season facing grief, loss, pain, and loneliness.  It can be a tough time of year. 





But I believe in the healing power of love. So my stories at this time of year often reflect that. Because I believe Christmas time can also be filled with healing, and growth, acceptance and new love. We can help each other as we face the challenges of life. I’ve seen that the spirit of “giving” at this holiday season can bring joy and healing both to the “giver” and to the “receiver.” And that’s important!

 In my story this year, “Christmas with the Cat Lady,” our hero and heroine deliver Christmas dinners, rescue cats, and sing carols with some endearing nursing home residents. The joy and healing spreads, right along with that Christmas cheer.
 
 

For me, Christmas is a great time to “act” in love, as well as read about it!  I get inspired with “Christmas Spirit” to share love and care when I hear your stories of how YOU share love at Christmas.

So here goes! Let us knows some of the ways (past, present or even inspirations for the future) that you have come up with to make the holiday joyful for someone else.  Let’s hear some good ideas to spreading Christmas cheer!
 


And if you didn’t get your fantastic Sweet Christmas Kisses 4 bundle yet… go get it right now!  And feel free to share our blog and link whenever you can.  Spread the love at holiday time, and all year around! We sure appreciate it!
 
 

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Amazon:          http://a.co/600caJ1
B&N:              http://bit.ly/2g8xyO8
Kobo:              http://bit.ly/2xgU0sG
iTunes:            https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/id1285643154
Google:           http://bit.ly/2viH7g4

 

 

21 comments:

  1. I prefer snow. But we don't usually get it until January. Sometimes we get flurries in our part of PA.

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  2. I prefer a light sprinkling of snow, too, Gina.

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  3. I've lived in warmer climates for so long that I don't miss snow at all.

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  4. I'm originally from upstate NY and now living in SC. I understand, Merrillee! :)

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  5. i like the ground covered in snowy in the am and gone by pm,i live in the mountains and too much snow is tricky to drive in

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    1. Yes, be very careful driving in snow, Patricia. Anywhere--but especially in the mountains.

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  6. I love holidays with snow!!!! Thanx for the giveaway!!!

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    1. I love snow around the holidays, too, Jennifer. But not for too long! And you're very welcome about the giveaway.

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  7. No snow for me! We don't get much in Alabama, thank goodness.

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  8. I love how it looks. But I sure don't like shoveling it!

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    1. Yes, I certainly felt the same when we lived in upstate NY, Christine.

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  9. I HATE snow and Cold Weather It Hurts My Body LOL
    The only time I do want snow if for one week during Christmas starting Christmas Eve Day for a week so the kids can play outside in the snow

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    1. Linda,
      I agree. Snow for about a week during the Christmas season is enough. :)

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  10. I'm in NW PA so we get our Fair Share here

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    1. Linda,
      I'm sure you do. I am originally from upstate NY and we certainly received our fair share there.

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  11. Linda Wesson, You've won the giveaway and one of my favorite Bath and Body Works body cream. The scent is “Fresh Sparkling Snow.” I'll post on the SRR Facebook group! Congratulations!

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  12. I love Snow on Christmas morning until after the presents have been opened. Then it can melt and go back to being warm 😁 In our part of PA it's cold but sometimes don't get any snow till January so I could look be without it. 😁

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    1. I love snow on Christmas morning, too, Stephanie. And then, after New Year's, it can go away. :)

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  13. Yes i love snow during christmas i think snow is romantic

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