Advent Calendar Day 11 #WendyLouJones

Behind door 11 is Wendy Lou Jones.

When I asked Wendy if she'd like to come on my blog and share Richard Armitage, her reply was; "Share Richard Armitage? Are you mad?"

I think you'll like who she shares. Take it away, Wendy! 

Christmas Eve is my favourite part of the season. The crib service down the church followed by my meal - honey-glazed gammon with cloves and dauphinoise potatoes, with sprouts and red cabbage on the side. Yum. Then it's something silly on the telly with all the whole family gathered round, sweets and treats laid out on the hearth and a kind of subdued excitement all around. Christmas lights are on, everyone is happy and nobody is spoiled or tired or bored or grumpy, just happy knowing tomorrow is Christmas. before bed, the kids set out the snack for Father Christmas and as they tuck down for the night, their dad reads them the same story. Twas the night before Christmas...

That's the best part of Christmas for me, the calm before the storm; the bit where we are reminded of why we have it and for a little while, all is right.

And who would I choose to keep me warm this Christmas? Chris Evans, my latest hero from my WIP. He's definitely hot and like father Christmas, he can also fly. :-)

The Summer We Loved 

Forgiving yourself can be the hardest task of all.

Dr Peter Florin is the sexy bad boy of St Steven’s hospital. Despite his love ‘em and leave ‘em attitude, every woman still wants him – and nurse Jenny White is no exception. For one night she thought she saw the real Pete, but ever since then he’s kept his distance and so she has kept hers…

Only Pete is a man haunted by a dark childhood and a tragic loss, and as she watches him spiral down into despair, Jenny realises she might be the only one who can drag him back. So she does – at the risk of her own, already bruised and battered heart. For no matter what she tells herself, such a man is surely impossible to change – and even more impossible to resist.

A brand new emotionally gripping love story from Wendy Lou Jones.

Buy links:
http://www.harperimpulseromance.com/books/the-summer-we-loved/

http://wendyloujones.weebly.com/

Advent Calendar Day 10 #KatherineGarbera

Behind door number 10 of my advent calendar: Katherine Garbera!

Recipe and Christmas Tradition

It’s safe to say that most if not all of my traditions revolve around my family and food. My earliest memories are of sitting in the kitchen at my grandmother’s house with my mom and her talking, laughing and eating. I like to linger at the kitchen table when I have friends and family over. There is something that just feels so right about it.

One of those recipes is a traditional Italian Christmas cookie. They are called struffoli. They are little bits of fried dough coated in honey and sprinkles. Now my kids and husband will tell you I have an unnatural propensity to use sprinkles on every holiday and on everything—ignore stories of the green sprinkles for St. Patrick’s day in the biscuits which made it look like they might be moldy. :D

And here is my typed up one with the parts she left out.

2 cups sifted flour. Mix in 3 eggs beat after each egg. Add ½ teaspoon of vanilla. Mix well to make a soft dough. Roll into a long strip of dough (like when you gnocchi) and cut into 1 inch pieces. Roll the pieces in your hand until they are round. Drop into hot oil and cooking until they are brown on all sides. Take from the oil and drain on a paper towel for a few seconds then toss in honey and coat with brightly colored sprinkles.

In my novella A Cowboy For Christmas one of the pivotal scenes involves the starting of new traditions for Annie and Carson. I think that traditions are a link between the past and the present. I adjust them as needed. For example my grandmother would have used orange peel instead of sprinkles on the struffoli but my kids thought it looked funny and wouldn't eat them so we used just sprinkles until they were older to appreciate it.

Here’s an excerpt of that scene:

He wrapped his arm around her shoulder. “Then let’s start some.”

She wanted to but then she started worrying if he’d be with her next Christmas. “What if—

“No. No questions, we are going to start a tradition and that’s it.”

“Okay, so what is the tradition going to be?”

“Well it starts with me delivering your tree and you fixing me lasagna for dinner… see how I’ve guaranteed you’ll make dinner for me again?”

“In a year? Don’t you want dinner before then?” she asked, worried. She realized that she was afraid because she wanted this to be real. She wanted everything she felt for Carson to be perfect and if it wasn’t she had no idea what she’d do. She was out of places to run to. Maybe that would be enough. Maybe it’d be enough to stay this time.

“We’ll have dinner again before next Christmas, but this is about our tradition.”

“Okay,” she said. Stop worrying, she warned herself. “What’s next?”

“Well, we decorate your tree,” he said.

“You’re just saying the things we’re doing,” she said. “Does that count?”

“That’s how traditions get started,” he said. He took a box of hand-wrapped ornaments that had been her mom’s and handed them to her.

What are some of your traditions for the holidays? I’m giving away a copy of A Cowboy For Christmas and Cowboy, It’s Cold Outside, both of my Scott Brothers Christmas novellas, to one lucky blog participant.


USA Today bestselling author Katherine Garbera is a two-time Maggie winner who has written more than 70 books. A Florida native who grew up to travel the globe, Katherine now makes her home in the Midlands of the UK with her husband, two children and a very spoiled miniature dachshund. Visit her on the web at http://www.katherinegarbera.com, connect with her on Facebook and follow her on Twitter @katheringarbera.

Advent Calendar Day 9 #ZaraStoneley

Behind door number 9 is Zara Stoneley:

We were chatting the other day about what makes us feel ‘Christmassy’ and it was impossible for me to pin it down to just one or two things. I realised then that it’s down to all five senses. Some smells mean Christmas to me, but then there are certain sounds and sights… so here are just five of the things that make me feel all festive …

The sound of Christmas carols – the whole ‘playing Christmas songs’ in the shops thing starts way too early for me, but when I hear carollers in town it feels like it really is Christmas.The sights – the annual turn on of the Christmas lights, when the shops are all decorated, the tree is lit up in the square and Father Christmas is there with his reindeers and sleigh, is a big event in our small town.

The feel – snow. Yeah, I’m not a big fan of it when the roads are slushy, but I love a cold, crisp morning when there is hoar frost on the trees and a dusting of snow. That snap in the air that makes my ears and nose tingle, and the feeling of peace is magical.

The smell of mulled wine – when the aroma of cinnamon, nutmeg, fruit and cloves drifts through the house on Christmas Eve and I’m curled up in front of a log fire then the festive feeling really takes hold.

The taste – chestnuts. Well, sprouts are a very distinctive Christmas taste, but I do love chestnuts and they taste extra good if they’re burnt at the edges after being cooked on the fire!

So those are a few of my favourite things that make me feel Christmas has arrived – what makes you feel festive?

About Zara Stoneley: 

Zara Stoneley grew up in small village in Staffordshire. After completing a degree, working as an IT consultant, a freelance writer, running a dog grooming business, and messing about with horses Zara finally settled down to her dream job as an author.

In 2012 she secured her first publishing contract with Xcite Books, the erotic imprint of Accent Press, and a year later signed a deal with HarperCollins.

Zara now writes fun, romantic romps set in the British countryside that she loves so much.

She splits her time between a country cottage in a Cheshire village, surrounded by family, friends and assorted animals, and an apartment in Barcelona.

WHERE TO FIND ZARA -

Website     Twitter    Facebook    Amazon   Google+     Pinterest  

My book - 

‘A Very Country Christmas’

A short Christmas story of three courses.

Love is in the air in Tippermere as Lottie dreams of a white Christmas with no trimmings – other than her hot and hunky eventer, Rory. But things are never quite that simple on the Tipping House Estate.

Festive fervour takes over and it isn’t all seasonal peace and goodwill as expectations rise and it soon escalates from cosy dinner for two, to all the trimmings for ten!

With missing turkeys, loose horses, troublesome terriers and randy huntsmen, Lottie is hard pushed to find time for a kiss under the mistletoe, let alone find the opportunity to woo Rory with her sexy Santa costume.

But there is only one thing Lottie really wants for Christmas, and only one man can deliver it…

Available FREE from - Amazon       Barnes & Noble      Kobo  
Sainsbury’s      Google Play  

Advent Calendar Day 8 #XmasQuestionnaire

Behind door number 8 - me again! Boo!

I answered this questionnaire for another blogger, but then it never got used, so I figured I'd share some of my answers here.

* What does Christmas mean to you?

Presents, family, turkey, card games and panto!

* When does the Christmas excitement usually begin in your household?

Now that I have a son with a birthday on the 4th December, we usually let him celebrate his birthday before getting too excited about Christmas. I usually put the decorations and tree up around the 16th December. Now I can’t have a real tree (too big for my cosy little house) I can do it a bit earlier if needs be. I let him have his cards up for a week.

* In terms of present shopping, do you like to begin early and stay organised, or are you a fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants type of shopper?

I try to buy things as I go. If I see something in June that I think will make a fabulous Christmas present, I’ll buy it then. I like to spread the cost and stress.

* What’s your favourite part of a Christmas dinner?

Pulling the crackers and telling the bad jokes from them. This one sticks in my memory as a kid is; ‘Where do you weigh a whale? At a Whaleweigh station”. Yep, bad I know.

* Least favourite part?

Picking up the discarded wrapping paper! (It always worries me it’s such a waste – at least it gets recycled now).

* Ultimate favourite Christmas song?

Fairytale of New York by the Pogues and Kirsty McColl – never tire of that song.

* Favourite Christmas movie?

Recently, with the kids, it’s been ‘Nativity!’ and ‘Nativity 2’ – because they include Martin Freeman and David Tennant, and the hilarious Mr Poppy who both my kids want as a teacher in their school. (Nativity 3 wasn’t as good but still fun.) Otherwise, I love ‘Santa Claus’ with Dudley Moore because for me, as a child, it answered the question of how Santa got around the world to all the children in one night.

* What sits atop your Christmas tree?

A star.

* Do you decorate with precision, or happy chaos?

Happy chaos. In fact I don’t put half up as my dad used to when we were kids. I don’t have the room.

* Who does the washing up afterwards?

Mainly Bosch the dishwasher – and what won’t go in, is sadly done by me.

* How early do you wake up on Christmas morning?

It’s not how early I wake up – it’s the kids. They’re not allowed in my bedroom before 6.30am! (They usually open their stockings on my bed.)

* Three favourite Christmas smells?

Mulled cider simmering, cinnamon, and fresh Christmas trees (not that I get that now I have to have a fake tree).

* Do you pile presents around the tree, or wait until Christmas Eve so they’re there on Christmas morning?

I pile them under the tree Christmas Eve once the boys have gone to bed, as if Santa has delivered them all. If I get handed a present before then, they go under the tree now the boys are old enough to know not to open them.

* Cranberry sauce or not?

Not my blog without some eye candy :) 

Definitely cranberry sauce!

* Mince pie or Christmas pudding?

Christmas pudding with brandy butter. I’ll eat mince pies, and even make them, but I’m not a lover of them.

* Any special Christmas traditions?

Panto! Every year Dad & I take the boys to the pantomime. It’s something Dad did with me and my brother, and I have fond childhood memories of those. I wanted my boys to have those memories too.

* At what point do the Christmas decorations come down?

On the 12th Day of Christmas (the 5th January I think) or as close to that as convenient. It’s unlucky otherwise. I can never understand those who put their decorations up the 1st of December and rip them down Boxing Day. The 12 days of Christmas are after, not before.

* What are you looking forward to most, this Christmas?

Relaxing, playing games with the boys and watching films, snuggled up on the sofa. I work in a Post Office part time, and the days I work fall over the bank holiday period, so I have almost two weeks off! Not sure I’ll get any writing done with the two boys about either, but it will be good to relax before the start of another year.

Advent Calendar Day 7 #RachelBrimble

Behind door 7 is Rachel Brimble! She's sharing her most memorable Christmas...

I love Christmas once all the presents are bought and wrapped, the cards sent out and the decision of where we’ll eat the all-important Christmas lunch has been decided. We tend to alternate Christmas lunch either at my mother-in-laws or hosting my parents and my in-laws at our house.

One of my memorable Christmases was 2010.

In June of the same year, my husband, two daughters and I (along with family friends) were caught up in the unexpected and terrifying French floods. This resulted in us being evacuated from our holiday caravan and, after a twelve-hour ordeal of waiting and worrying what would happen next, we were eventually rescued by helicopter from the clubhouse roof.

We lost all our belongings, passports and my engagement ring, but thankfully got home relatively unscathed. We were very lucky. Twenty-five people lost their lives that day…

The reason I will never forget this Christmas is because the ripple effects of the ordeal were still very much within us when my husband stood up at the dressed Christmas dining table and announced he had a surprise present for me.

I had absolutely no idea what was coming next!

From behind his back, he produced a small velvet box…and inside was a brand new, diamond solitaire engagement ring to replace the one I’d lost in the flood. Suffice to say, I promptly burst into tears as the rest of my family cheered and clapped.

Definitely a Christmas to remember and be thankful for!

Christmas At The Cove

More family for Christmas?

Scott Walker doesn't have time for a relationship. The sexy mechanic has career ambitions, not to mention a mother and three sisters to take care of. The last thing he needs is Carrie Jameson, the beauty he never forgot, arriving in Templeton Cove over the holidays with some unexpected news.

Scott still finds Carrie irresistible, and he's not one to shirk responsibility. Scott's issues with his own dad make the prospect of parenthood a minefield. But if he and Carrie can overcome their fears, this Christmas could bring them the best gift of all.

Amazon US ~ Amazon UK ~  Barnes & Noble

Templeton Cove Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qtVExzpJ6b4

Bio: Rachel lives with her husband and two teenage daughters in a small town near Bath in the UK. After having several novels published by small US presses, she secured agent representation in 2011. Since 2013, she has had five books published by Harlequin Superromance (Templeton Cove Stories) and recently signed a contract for three more. She also has three Victorian romances with eKensington/Lyrical with a fourth due for release in March 2016.

Rachel is a member of the Romantic Novelists Association and Romance Writers of America, and was selected to mentor the Superromance finalist of So You Think You Can Write 2014 contest. When she isn’t writing, you’ll find Rachel with her head in a book or walking the beautiful English countryside with her family. Her dream place to live is Bourton-on-the-Water in South West England.

She likes nothing more than connecting and chatting with her readers and fellow romance writers. Rachel would love to hear from you!

Links: Website - Blog - Twitter - Facebook - Facebook Street Team - Rachel's Readers