Holiday Reads Continue....

By the grace of God and with the love and support of my family and friends, I made it through Christmas - not without tears but with my sanity intact.

Christmas may be over but the holiday romances will continue through this week and end Sat. with a New Year story.

Today's guest is Amber Polo with her book, Christmas on Wherever Island.

Amber Polo lives on a mesa in Arizona the setting of her most recent romance Flying Free, but has spent more than one Christmas on a Caribbean island. She writes about places she’s lived and places that don’t quite exist. Amber is passionate about writing, books, and libraries.

A Magic Santa brings Caribbean Christmas Joy

Marti Bell is facing the prospect of a very unmerry Christmas. Reluctantly, leaving her married lover she travels toward ice, snow, and judgmental family until a magic Santa sends her to a surprise destination in the warm waters of the Caribbean.

Wherever Island would be a winter paradise except the only place to stay is the beachside cottage of romantic globetrotting photographer Cliff Holmes. Cliff wants to unwind and treat Marti to a little romantic Caribbean Christmas fun but she’s determined to stay in the warm ocean and out of hot water.

Excerpt

The plane landed. What had she done? A shiver of apprehension shook Marti’s body. She’d never acted irresponsibly. She collected her luggage and followed her seatmate to the doorway. A blast of warm, heady sea air settled over her. Where was she? Wherever she was, she felt her body relax. Her face softened. Nobody knew her. Or where she was. She felt lighter.

She walked down the steps of the only plane on an airfield ringed by palm trees and crossed the tarmac to the lone building. Under the heat of a tropical sun, carrying belongings intended for a trip to a very cold place, she entered the open door marked WI BVI Customs.

“Welcome to Wherever Island!” A black man in a blue and white uniform handed her a form and asked for her passport. Grateful to be the obsessively organized person who always traveled with a passport, she held it out. After a quick inspection, he handed it back, smiled, and pointed to a woman at a table. “Please take your things there, Ma’am.”

The customs clerk quickly checked Marti’s purse and carry-on and frowned at the wrapped gifts. “Visiting family here?”

“No, Ma’am. Last-minute trip.”

The clerk raised her eyebrows. “Hotel?”

“Any recommendations?” Marti smiled with what she hoped looked like a dumb tourist grin.
The woman frowned again. “Ma’am, you must have a hotel reservation. Can’t have Americans sleeping all over our beaches, now can we.”

“May I call a hotel?”

“All hotels and the resort are filled. It’s Christmas.” The woman’s eyebrows arched.

“What am I supposed to do? Get back on the plane?” The noise of her plane taking off drowned out her words. Welcome to paradise, now go home? She felt a movement behind her and the customs officer’s eyes looked up. A male voice said, “Perhaps I could help?”

Marti turned and looked into Cliff Holmes’ broad chest. Cliff smiled his world traveler soldier of fortune smile. He’d changed from those attention-grabbing tight jeans into khaki shorts and a perfectly wrinkled white shirt. His camera cases sat on a cart next to a huge canvas duffle.

“Ms. Bell and I work for the same company.” He removed folded papers from his passport case. “I’m here to film your beautiful island. This letter from the Ministry of Tourism will explain. I have reserved a two bedroom cottage at the resort. I was expecting Sonja Holmes on this flight. Perhaps she missed the connection. In any case, I would be happy to share my lodgings with Ms. Bell.”

Christmas on Wherever Island is available now at The Wild Rose Press. Find out more about Amber at her website.

Well friends, hope you're continuing to enjoy these holiday romances. Check back often.

Until later Be Blessed!

PamT

Holiday Romances by Stacy Dawn!

Well Friends....it's over - all the anticipation, the rush and chaos is finished. Hope you didn't forget the REAL reason for the season and I pray you found time for peace and reflection during the holiday.

No better way to relax and savor on the joy of Christmas than with THREE holiday romances by one talented lady.

Stacy Dawn - the author of Fun Romance! lives in Southern Ontario, Canada with her own true love and two young sons. She enjoys spending time with her family, good music and writing on the humorous side of love. Visit her website: http://stacydawn.com

Welcome back to Noelle, Alberta, home of the infamous Reindeer Games, Santa Claus Holloran, and a fifteen foot Rudolph monument welcoming you to town—that was, before Deke Halls ran his semi into it. Even though it was an accident, thanks to the beautiful but annoying judge, instead of heading to Bermuda for a holiday vacation, he's spending Christmas on parole.

Laney McGovern wasn't about to let the good-for-nothing trucker get away with reckless driving and decapitating the town's historical monument. She'd divorced his arrogant type before—all good old boy smiles but selfish as the Grinch. Sentencing him to community service with each of the six founding families seemed like a just punishment, but when the eccentric townsfolk begin to embrace the handsome cowboy, this judge slowly discovers not all offenders of the heart are the same. Only problem is, she doesn't know if she wants to deck the Halls or shove him under the mistletoe.

Her mother's ridiculous idea to gift her with 'a man' for Christmas is driving Angie Bellini insane! Every bachelor and his brother in Noelle are asking her to save them a dance at the upcoming wedding of Santa Claus Holloran's daughter. What's a girl to do to keep her sanity and thwart a scheming mother? Date the one man in town her mother despises, of course.

Wes O'Connor doesn't like the plan Angie has coerced him into for two reasons: 1) He's still paying for the last time those big brown eyes made him do something stupid and 2) He doesn't want to 'pretend' to date the beautiful baker, he wants the fairytale to turn into a real happily-ever-after.

Their ending may not be so happy, though, when they discover they aren't the only players in their little game of make-believe.

The annual Reindeer Games between the Holloran and the Nickles families is legendary in their little town of Noelle, Alberta. This year, however, the competition gets kicked up a notch when Jess Holloran discovers winning the games may just mean losing her heart.

All books are available from The Wild Rose Press

Can you believe we've only 1 more week of this year!

I'll continue the Holiday Reads through Jan 2nd but until then....take care and be Blessed!

Do You Hear What I Hear? by Teri Wilson

Merry Christmas!!

How appropriate is THIS title for today?

Teri's son once wrote in a third-grade paper, "My Mom loves dogs and Jesus." He may have gotten the order reversed, but the sentiment was right on target. Her romance stories are often filled with happy endings, splashes of humor and a loveable critter or two. After all, Cinderella never would have lived happily ever after without a little help from her animal friends! Visit Teri at her website: http://www.freewebs.com/teriwilson/

As a child, Simone Littleton adores the European folktale that animals are given the gift of speech at midnight on Christmas Eve. She makes a wish to talk to animals “forever and ever” and, when her pet Dalmatian asks her for a biscuit, she discovers her wish has been granted. Now Simone is all grown up and she uses her unique gift to rehabilitate unwanted horses. When race horse trainer Chet Wallace rolls into San Antonio, with chocolate eyes and dimples blazing beneath his black Stetson, romantic sparks fly. He is immediately drawn to the beautiful woman who has a mesmerizing affect on both his horses and his dog, but his less than enthusiastic response to Simone’s claims threatens their budding romance. It takes a scheming Jack Russell terrier and a fresh batch of rescue horses to convince Chet she just may be telling the truth.

Excerpt:

“So this is why all your animals are named after artists.” Her gentle voice washed over him, soothing his nerves.

He turned and there she was, hair full of hay like always. She looked particularly welcoming today, though, wearing a soft pink sweater that hugged her curves. Her hair was on top of her head in a ponytail rather than her usual braid. He had to press down the urge to loosen the fastener and let it tumble over her shoulders in thick, blonde waves.

He gulped. Hard. Just looking at her was almost enough to take his breath away. “Happy Thanksgiving, Simone.”

She came closer, ponytail swinging, and stood next to him. Close enough so he felt almost intoxicated by the orchid fragrance. “Happy Thanksgiving. I can’t believe you painted this. It’s breathtaking. When I close my eyes and picture Buttercup in my mind, she looks exactly like this.”

It was a nice compliment. The special gleam in Chet’s eye came not from her kind words, but from the fact Simone stood close to him and looked at him in the way Ted had observed in the kitchen the night before. Yes, there was something between them all right. He felt it in every nerve ending in his body. “Thanks. It’s just a hobby really.”

“You are quite the Renaissance Man, Chet.” She punched him playfully in the shoulder. “You’re just one surprise after another. What am I going to find out about you next?”

“Well, if I told you it wouldn’t be a surprise now, would it?” His gazed locked with hers and he winked.

Do You Hear? is available in Ebook and Print from The Wild Rose Press.

Well Friends, that wraps up another holiday romance.

Hope your Christmas is BLESSED and Merry!

Lady's Choice by Sannon Robinson

Ready or not, Christmas is here!

Okay, its still 3 days away..... but getting closer every minute. Last minute shoppers, crowds, rushing....so grateful I'm done!

Today's special guest is Shannon Robinson with her Christmas story - Lady's Choice.

Shannon Robinson lives in upstate New York with her wonderful husband, two darling - and spoiled - children, and their happy, fat dog. Writing stories since she was old enough to hold a pencil, Shannon never dreamed one day she would actually see them published. After high school, she learned her best friend, Holly Greenfield, had written a novel and with her help, Shannon learned that dreams can actually come to realization. Now she is a member of RWA and her local chapter, Central NY Romance Writers, and enjoying every minute of the path in this new journey.

In addition to penning her romance stories, Shannon is employed full-time in the customer service field and stays active by keeping up with her kids' social and extracurricular activities. She enjoys being outdoors, reading, scrapbooking, and baking - even if she does tend to burn the cookies.

Visit Shannon at her website: http://www.shannonrobinson.com

Lady Ayerlene de Glanville’s plans are shattered when her father announces that the king has arranged for her to marry a Lord she has never met. With no alternative to the situation, hope for an independent future quickly fades. Determined not to be a pawn for any man’s gain, she decides to take matters into her own hands and within the span of seven days, somehow convince the Lord to break off the betrothal before she is forced to say “I do" on Christmas day.

Knowing what it’s like to endure a life of forced relationships, Lord Severin Kendrick wants nothing to do with the betrothal his king has arranged for him. But when an unexpected meeting with his intended occurs, his blood stirs with a passion for her he cannot dissolve. Determined to make her his own, he battles her wily schemes with sensuous smiles, stolen kisses, and a vow that he will not return home empty-handed.

Excerpt:

He placed a finger on her lips. “I’m sorry for what I’ve done. I never meant to deceive you and I promise,” he paused, drawing his fingers over her lips, “it won’t happen again.”

The sincerity in his voice, shining from his steely gray eyes, wreaked havoc on her senses. She could smell the musky scent of him, a fresh woodsy smell that made her want to breathe deeply, inhale him into her.

A part of her wanted to believe him. Wanted to forget the deception, forget her plan to refuse the marriage, and sink into his arms. Bury herself in the heated embrace of his body. Never before had she felt such temptation, such want that caused her insides to quiver. A strange ache drifted from her core into her blood, warming her body with desire.

Severin brushed her cheek with his knuckles, gently cupping her face with his palm while his thumb stroked her skin. He stared into her eyes, persuasive gray meeting blue, daring her to accept him. Accept his offer.

He leaned forward, water dripped from his wet hair onto her gown. He tilted his head and urged her toward him. She leaned closer, moving her hands to her sides. Closer. An inch more and she would revisit the kiss he’d bestowed on her earlier.

Without hesitating, she bent, grasped the handle of the pitcher, and promptly dumped the cold rinsing water over his head.

Lady's Choice is available through Aspen Mountain Press.

Well Folks, that wraps up another holiday read - hopefully you're enjoying these spotlights.

Until later ~ Be Blessed!

PamT

Saturday Spotlight Linda Swift!

Hey Friends,

This week's spotlight is Linda Swift with two holiday reads!

Linda Swift is a native of Kentucky but has been a nomad all of her life. She currently lives in Florida with her real-life hero, a power plant consultant who keeps her "grounded." She is the misfit in a family of musicians which includes her husband, and son, daughter and son-in-law who live in Music City, USA. Even her precious Lhasa apso granddog growls on key.

In her other life, she went to school forever and was a counselor and psychometrist in public education. "I would not have missed any of my life experiences, " she says emphatically, " because they have given me the insight I need to write. Linda has been writing since she was ten and is an award winning author of published poetry, articles, and short stories and had a play produced on WPSD-TV, an NBC affiliate. But her passion has been writing novels since her first books were published in 1994. Due to a mid-list crisis, she has had an unplanned hiatus which now has a happy ending. Visit Linda at www.lindaswift.net

Kala's position as tour guide at a Kentucky Welcome Center isn't enough to cope with huge debts left by her late husband's illness, but she manages to make ends meet . . until her car quits running. To save money on repairs, she enrolls in an auto-mechanic class taught by Rex, a handsome part-time instructor whose broken heart needs repairing, too. After recently losing his important job and family, he has sworn never to get involved with another woman.

Kala discounts her growing attraction to Rex when she learns he is years younger, until the winter storm of the century throws them together. When the Interstate closes down, Kala opens her home to a houseful of strangers. Despite fire, flood, and friction, she creates an old-fashioned holiday rich in the true spirit of Christmas. In the process, Kala and Rex discover the greatest gift of love.

Let Nothing You Dismay is available now from The Wild Rose Press along with a few more of Linda's books!

Leigh and Russell have not seen each other in years when they come to Kentucky to spend the holidays with Leigh's Grandmother Amelia. Russell's own grandmother lived next door until her death and they had been in love before Russell left for college. Leigh waited for his return but to her disappointment, he never came back.

When they meet again, the attraction between them is stronger than before but many complications exist. Leigh's husband and young son were killed in a car accident in upstate New York. She blames herself for her son's death and vows never to be a mother again. She left her elementary teaching job and moved to Florida where she now sells real estate. Russell is a successful building contractor in Arizona, a divorced father of two, whose wife just remarried and will be moving overseas. She has offered custody of their girls, four and eleven, to him and he must decide now.

When Russell asks Leigh to marry him, she thinks he needs a mother for his children and doesn't want the job. Will he be willing to say no to custody in order to get Leigh to say yes? Can she become Russell's wife if it means depriving him of his beloved daughters?

The Twelve Days of Christmas is available from Awe Struck Ebooks!

Another week down and one more to go until Christmas, Folks - Are you ready?

Until later Be Blessed!

PamT